Colombian President Gustavo Petro has confirmed that he will meet US President Donald Trump at the White House on February 3 for discussions he described as “critical” amid heightened tensions over drug trafficking and Venezuela.

The date was established through diplomatic channels between the two governments, Petro told a cabinet meeting broadcast publicly on January 14, setting the stage for the first in-person encounter between the sparring leaders since Trump returned to office last year.

"We will see the results of that meeting, which is decisive," Petro said. "My intention is that Colombians, wherever they are in the country, do not suffer and can feel at ease."

The meeting follows a more than hour-long telephone conversation last week during which Trump invited Petro to Washington, describing the exchange as constructive after previously threatening military action against Colombia over narcotics issues. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Colombian Foreign Minister Rosa Villavicencio were tasked with coordinating arrangements for the Washington meeting.

During that call, which Petro initiated before addressing supporters at Plaza de Bolívar, the Colombian leader presented data on his government's counter-narcotics efforts and discussed the Venezuelan situation. Petro hailed the conversation as cordial and respectful, pointing out the need to reestablish direct communications between the two governments.

Colombian Defence Minister Pedro Sánchez travelled to the United States ahead of the presidential meeting to expand cooperation on intelligence gathering against transnational crime, according to official statements.

Sánchez outlined three objectives for the exchanges: showcasing Colombia's counter-narcotics efforts, analysing opportunities for drone and anti-drone intelligence cooperation, and developing strategies to combat transnational organised crime.

The upcoming talks occur against a backdrop of escalating US pressure on Latin American countries regarding drug trafficking and security concerns. Trump had slammed Petro as someone who "likes making cocaine and selling it to the United States," following the January 3 US military operation in Venezuela that ousted President Nicolás Maduro, a move the leftist Colombian leader condemned as a violation of Venezuelan sovereignty.

A day after capturing Maduro, Trump threatened action against Colombia, stating that intervention against the country “sounds good.”

Washington imposed sanctions on Petro, his wife, son and Interior Minister Juan Fernando Cristo in October over alleged drug trade involvement. The US revoked Petro's visa in September 2025 after he joined pro-Palestinian demonstrations in New York following UN General Assembly meetings.

Colombia was designated in September as failing drug war cooperation, triggering assistance reductions. Trump has ordered more than 30 maritime strikes against suspected trafficking vessels in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific since September, killing at least 110 people whilst seizing oil tankers hailing from Venezuela.