U.S. President Donald Trump and Colombian President Gustavo Petro put months of sharp rhetoric behind them after a closed-door meeting at the White House, agreeing to cooperate on tackling drug trafficking.
The encounter marked the first face-to-face talks between the two leaders following a series of public insults exchanged in recent months. Despite the tension, Trump said the meeting was «very productive» and confirmed that the two sides had reached an understanding on combating narcotics trafficking, a long-standing point of friction given Colombia’s role as the world’s largest cocaine producer.
Petro struck a lighter tone after the talks, sharing images on social media of signed memorabilia from Trump and praising the U.S. president’s directness in a subsequent radio interview. Trump, for his part, said the pair «got along very well» and indicated discussions could extend to other issues, including sanctions.
While the meeting ended on a cordial note, there was no immediate resolution regarding Petro’s inclusion on a U.S. sanctions list. Still, both leaders signalled a willingness to reset relations and continue cooperation, particularly in the fight against organised crime.
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