President Donald Trump invited Colombian leader Gustavo Petro to the White House following a more than hour-long telephone conversation on January 7 aimed at reducing tensions days after previously suggesting that military intervention "sounds good" for Colombia, Reuters reported.

"It was a Great Honor to speak with the President of Colombia, Gustavo Petro, who called to explain the situation of drugs and other disagreements that we have had," Trump posted on Truth Social. "I appreciated his call and tone, and look forward to meeting him in the near future." The president stated that Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Foreign Minister Rosa Villavicencio would coordinate arrangements for the Washington meeting.

Petro initiated the call at approximately 6:00 pm Bogotá time before addressing supporters at Plaza de Bolívar, describing the conversation as cordial and respectful. "In the conversation ... I made a request: that direct communications between the foreign ministries and the presidents be reestablished," Petro stated. "If there is no dialogue, there will be war."

The Colombian Embassy in Washington confirmed the exchange "to address bilateral cooperation and the broader agenda between Colombia and the United States," hailing the constructive tone whilst noting diplomatic channels would manage meeting logistics. Petro explained Colombia's counter-narcotics efforts with supporting data during the discussion, which also covered the Venezuelan situation.

The conversation marked a dramatic shift from Trump's January 5 characterisation of Petro as "a sick man who likes making cocaine and selling it to the United States" whilst suggesting Colombia appeared "very sick too" following the January 3 military operation in Venezuela that ousted President Nicolas Maduro. Trump stated Petro wouldn't continue such activities "very long."

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, creating logistical complications for potential bilateral talks.

Colombia's designation in September as failing drug war cooperation triggered assistance reductions. Trump ordered over 30 maritime strikes against suspected trafficking vessels since September, killing at least 110 people whilst seizing tankers.