In a meeting that caught many people off guard, U.S. President Donald Trump and Colombian President Gustavo Petro sat down at the White House this week for what both leaders described as a warm and productive conversation — even though their relationship had been marked by public criticism and mixed signals.
Petro arrived quietly, without the usual media fanfare that typically accompanies state visits, and reporters were not allowed inside the roughly two‑hour session. Afterward, neither leader outlined major new deals, but both made it clear that tension between them had eased.
When asked later if they had made progress on reducing illegal drug flows from Colombia to the United States, Trump replied simply, “Yeah, we did… and we got along very well.” He admitted that before meeting, he didn’t know Petro personally and that past criticisms might have stemmed from perceptions rather than reality.
In a gesture that seemed to signal goodwill, Petro shared a photo on X showing Trump and him smiling and shaking hands. The image included a personal note from Trump that read: “Gustavo — A great honour — I love Colombia.”
Petro later told Colombian radio that the differences people had seen through news and social media didn’t reflect how things actually felt in the room. He also said he provided Trump with names and details of major drug traffickers, some of whom he said are living abroad.
The Colombian leader didn’t shy away from asking for U.S. help in other areas too, including resolving a diplomatic dispute with Ecuador — whose president, Daniel Noboa, has been a vocal Trump supporter.
This meeting marks a notable turnaround after months of back‑and‑forth. Last year, Trump accused Petro of being involved with illegal drugs, a claim without shared evidence, and Petro strongly criticised U.S. operations in the region, including military actions and the removal of Venezuela’s leader, which he called a “kidnapping.”
Just weeks earlier, however, the two had spoken by phone, and that conversation seemed to break the ice enough for Petro to accept an invitation to visit Washington.
At the White House, Colombian officials shared details of their government’s efforts to curb drug trafficking, highlighting increased seizures of cocaine. A pamphlet seen in photos from the meeting even described Colombia as “America’s #1 Ally against Narcoterrorists.”
Trump also mentioned that the two were working on sanctions, though he didn’t go into specifics. Interestingly, Petro himself faces U.S. sanctions related to alleged drug links — allegations he firmly denies.
Diplomats and experts have noted the stakes are high. Colombia remains the largest coca producer in the world and a key partner for the U.S. in fighting drug trafficking — but disagreements over strategy, human rights and regional policy have complicated cooperation.
Despite their very different backgrounds — Trump as a hard‑line U.S. leader, and Petro as a former leftist guerrilla turned president — the tone of this meeting suggests that both sides see value in moving past headlines and focusing on shared goals.
In the end, what stood out most to observers wasn’t just what was said, but that the two leaders chose to sit down, talk openly, and walk away without the headline‑grabbing conflict that defined their relationship just months ago. That alone feels like progress
