Gustavo Petro Arrives in Washington for High-Stakes Meeting with Trump: What's at Stake?

In the early hours of Monday, Gustavo Petro landed in Washington, embarking on a high-stakes diplomatic visit that will culminate in a private meeting with Donald Trump at the White House, scheduled for Tuesday, February 3 at 11:00 a.m.

This four-day trip signifies the most serious attempt by the Colombian president to mend a fractured bilateral relationship, strained by a year of tensions, threats, and mutual accusations.

Accompanied by a delegation of over ten high-ranking officials, including Foreign Minister Rosa Yolanda Villavicencio, Defense Minister Pedro Sánchez, Ambassador Daniel García-Peña, and Ecopetrol President Ricardo Roa, Petro arrives at the center of American power with a broad agenda. While the meeting with Trump is the most pivotal moment, other engagements are also planned.

Petro's arrival follows his receipt of a special visa from the U.S. government, granted after his initial entry permit was revoked.

"I am beginning my intense communication journey with the U.S. government, starting with my meeting with the U.S. business representative in Colombia, McNamara," Petro wrote on his X account, referring to diplomat John McNamara, with whom he met before the Trump meeting.

Expectations for the Petro-Trump Meeting

The closed-door meeting, held without media presence, aims to "reestablish direct dialogue channels" and address bilateral priorities such as migration, anti-drug cooperation, trade, and regional security, according to official sources.

Beneath this technical framework lies a history of personal and political clashes between the two leaders, making this meeting a kind of forced truce.

Tensions escalated in January 2025 when Petro blocked military flights deporting Colombians from the U.S., denouncing "undignified treatment." Trump retaliated with threats of imposing tariffs up to 50% on Colombian products. Although the crisis was quickly defused, it left deep scars.

Since then, the bilateral relationship has deteriorated due to constant clashes over issues like drug trafficking, policy towards Venezuela, Colombia's role in the hemisphere, and mutual criticisms in international forums.

Adding to the tension, Petro was included in the "Clinton List," accused of allowing massive cocaine production, and even alleged ties to the Aragua Train. "Colombia is also very sick, led by a man who likes to produce cocaine and sell it to the United States," Trump declared after the military operation that captured Nicolás Maduro on January 3.

Petro responded, claiming Washington's true punishment against him was "falsely branding me a drug trafficker."

A Turbulent History of Conflict

The recent history between Petro and Trump is marked by unprecedented personal accusations. Among the most severe incidents are:

• January 2025: Petro blocks two deportation flights; Trump responds with trade threats.
• March 2025: U.S. accuses Petro of calling Aragua Train members "friends"; he denies this, blaming language misunderstandings.
• September 2025: U.S. decertifies Colombia for alleged lack of results in combating drug trafficking. Trump revokes Petro's visa for "reckless actions."
• October 2025: The U.S. Treasury imposes sanctions on Petro, his wife, son, and close officials. Petro publishes his bank accounts and announces legal defense.
• December 2025 - January 2026: Trump suggests military strikes against drug-producing countries. Petro warns he will defend sovereignty, even "taking up arms."

Amid this escalation, both leaders surprised with a phone call where they acknowledged each other.

"I appreciate his call and tone, and look forward to meeting with him soon," Trump wrote after the conversation.

Tuesday's meeting seems to be the realization of that unexpected easing of tensions.

Beyond the Trump Meeting: A Broader Agenda

While the highlight is the meeting with Trump, Petro has crafted a diverse agenda in Washington.

He will meet with the Colombian diaspora at the Martin Luther King library, deliver a climate change lecture at Georgetown University, and engage with cocoa industry entrepreneurs to promote sustainable trade and crop substitution programs.

Petro will also have meetings with congress members from both parties and the Secretary-General of the OAS, in an attempt to show that Colombia can reinsert itself into the regional diplomatic scene without solely relying on the presidential axis.

The message Petro intends to convey is twofold: internationally, his government remains committed to multilateralism and environmental protection; domestically, he is unafraid to confront Trump head-on and defend his country's interests.

Mobilization in Colombia: Petro's Domestic Strategy

Parallel to his visit, Petro has activated his political base in Colombia.

"Let Tuesday, if it doesn't rain, fill the Plaza de Bolívar to defend democracy, vital wages, and Colombia's peace while I meet with Trump," he wrote on X.

The call, without directly mentioning Senator Iván Cepeda, adds to the call made by the Historic Pact over the weekend.

Thus, the president extends his confrontation with Trump to the national stage, employing a dual strategy: diplomacy in Washington, mobilization in Bogotá.

A Turning Point or Temporary Truce?

The Petro-Trump meeting has all the ingredients to be a turning point, but not necessarily a reconciliation.

Mutual distrust, conflicting interests on key issues, and the history of public accusations make it difficult to fully restore the bilateral relationship.

However, both leaders come to this meeting with political incentives: Petro aims to conclude his term with a solid international projection and avoid sanctions that could weaken his image; Trump seeks to demonstrate control over Latin America and leadership in security and drug issues.

What is said and agreed upon at the White House on February 3 could shape the future of relations between two historically allied countries, now divided by ideological visions, leadership styles, and a shifting hemispheric geopolitics.