After the pivotal meeting held this morning between Colombian President Gustavo Petro and his U.S. counterpart, Donald Trump, following a year of confrontations and threats, both leaders managed to set aside — at least for now — their big ideological differences and reach agreements to combat drug trafficking.
The meeting, held behind closed doors in the Oval Office and lasting approximately two hours — an hour and a half longer than announced — marked a significant shift in relations between the two countries, which are now seeking to move toward closer cooperation on security and the fight against illegal drugs.
The talks took place in an atmosphere that, despite big ideological differences and episodes of mutual accusations, was described by those involved as cordial and constructive. The prior tension, fueled by public statements in which Trump had sharply questioned Petro’s leadership and Colombia’s role as an ally in anti-drug policy, appeared to have softened in the days leading up to the meeting, giving way to a more pragmatic, results-oriented dialogue.
Venezuela and the country’s “reactivation” were also discussed, as was the fight against armed groups that traffic cocaine along the long border between Colombia and Venezuela.
Petro stated that his possible removal from the OFAC List (aka Clinton List) — on which he was placed by the Trump administration four months ago — was not discussed during the meeting, despite speculation in Colombian political and media circles. “Trump told me he does not believe in sanctions,” President Petro said, referring to both Venezuela and Colombia.
Colombia’s Petro and Trump set aside differences, agree to cooperate on drug trafficking
The central conclusion of the meeting between Trump and Petro was undoubtedly the shared commitment to intensify collaboration in the fight against drug trafficking. Both leaders agreed to work on joint mechanisms to curb the flow of illegal drugs into the United States and dismantle the criminal networks operating in the region.
Although operational details were not disclosed immediately after the meeting, statements made by Petro himself during an afternoon press conference and by their teams suggest that the foundations have been laid for smoother intelligence sharing, logistical support, and coordinated efforts between the two countries’ security agencies.
This understanding represents a significant step forward compared with Trump’s previous accusations. In recent months, he had expressed frustration over the increase in coca cultivation in Colombia and what he perceived as an insufficient response from the Colombian government.
Petro, for his part, has defended his administration’s strategy, based on crop substitution and strengthening rural communities affected by drug trafficking, and appears to have succeeded in having these arguments heard and acknowledged at the highest levels in Washington.
In this context, Gustavo Petro reiterated his view that the quantification of coca crop hectares should be carried out through “independent scientific verification,” arguing that the mechanism used by the United Nations does not work.
On another front, the Colombian president reiterated his position that in the fight against drug trafficking “we must go after the kingpins,” who “are not the leaders of illegal armed groups,” but rather live outside Colombia and keep their capital abroad. “I gave Trump their names,” he said.
Colombia’s inclusion in coordinated extradition processes with the United States and the possibility of strengthening these mechanisms in the immediate future is one of the most tangible outcomes of this first formal rapprochement between Trump and Petro. Although discussions on technical cooperation usually take months of behind-the-scenes work, this joint gesture could pave the way for more robust measures in the coming months.
President Donald J. Trump meets with Colombian President Gustavo Petro at the White House. pic.twitter.com/1v05LZ4AP1
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) February 3, 2026
Signs of diplomatic easing and symbolic gestures
Beyond technical commitments, the meeting was marked by symbolic gestures suggesting an easing of bilateral relations. Official photographs and comments from the leaders reflected an atmosphere less tense than many analysts had expected, given the recent history.
Trump, who had previously described Petro’s stance as antagonistic on several occasions, publicly acknowledged that the Colombian president’s tone had changed in recent weeks and that real opportunities existed for positive cooperation.
President Petro was not left out of the symbolic exchange: He brought a basket of Colombian agricultural products to the meeting, including coffee and chocolates, representing the crop substitution programs implemented by his government.
This gesture aimed to convey a clear message about Colombia’s efforts to transform economic structures that were historically dominated by coca production.
Images of the meeting, released during the morning, showed the two leaders in a relaxed mood and with a renewed relationship. “We weren’t the best of friends, but I didn’t feel offended because I had never met him,” Trump said regarding his personal relationship with the Colombian president shortly after the meeting. “We had a very good meeting; I thought it was fantastic,” he concluded, referring to his change of opinion and the good rapport with Gustavo Petro.
"Gustavo: Un gran Honor.
Amor a Colombia". Donald Trump. pic.twitter.com/1Tl7eIbAPr— Gustavo Petro (@petrogustavo) February 3, 2026
A new chapter in the bilateral relationship, despite differences
The meeting between Donald Trump and Gustavo Petro at the White House was not just another diplomatic exchange on the international agenda, but a turning point that could redefine strategic cooperation between the United States and Colombia at a crucial moment.
Beyond the fight against drug trafficking, the talks also touched on other issues of shared interest, including regional stability in light of the situation in Venezuela and migration, although these topics were largely left for more detailed discussions in the future.
The ability of both governments to turn a history of tensions into a functional understanding will be tested in the coming months as the agreed actions on drug trafficking and security are implemented.
For now, the commitment expressed in Washington suggests that, at least on this front, Colombia and the United States are willing to set aside their differences to confront shared challenges that affect not only their borders, but the region as a whole.
Petro began his press conference at the Colombian embassy in Washington by stating that he reminded Trump that, despite their political differences, “freedom unites us,” something that appears capable of transforming the complex relationship between Bogota and Washington in this latest chapter involving Gustavo Petro and Donald Trump.