Colombian President to meet Trump in U.S. on February 3

Colombian President Gustavo Petro announced on Wednesday (January 14, 2026) that he will meet with his U.S. counterpart Donald Trump on February 3 to address diplomatic tensions and Washington's military campaign in Latin America. "We'll see the results of that meeting," Mr. Petro said during a televised meeting with his Ministers. Mr. Petro's U.S. visit will come on the heels of a bitter war of words with Mr. Trump in the last year, including Washington's threats to take military action in Colombia, as well as the U.S.-led attack on Caracas to depose leftist leader Nicolas Maduro. Washington and Bogota have enjoyed security cooperation for decades, but ties have deteriorated since Mr. Trump began his second term last January. The 65-year-old leftist and former guerrilla, who leaves office this year and is barred from running for re-election, has been among the most vocal leaders to criticise Mr. Trump, openly defying the Republican's key goal of deporting migrants. After Mr. Maduro's capture, Mr. Trump accused the Colombian leader of being involved in drug trafficking, without providing evidence, and his administration has hit Mr. Petro and his family with financial sanctions. Mr. Petro has also been a vocal critic of the U.S. military campaign against alleged drug-trafficking vessels in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific Ocean, with dozens of boats destroyed in strikes and over 100 people killed in what rights groups have accused of being extra-judicial killings. Published - January 15, 2026 11:03 am IST

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