Trump Remarks on Gustavo Petro: "His Attitude Shifted After Venezuela Incident"

On Monday, President Donald Trump commented on the recent change in attitude of Colombian leader Gustavo Petro, noting that Petro has been notably “cordial over the past month” prior to their anticipated meeting at the White House. He remarked that Petro “was definitely quite critical before that.”

"Something about the attack on Venezuela seemed to alter his stance," Trump stated, as reported by American media and shared by analyst Agustín Antonetti on social media platform X, where the U.S. President is seen speaking from the Oval Office.

The statement comes just before the scheduled meeting between the two presidents in Washington this Tuesday, adding another chapter to a diplomatically tense relationship marked by clashes and mutual accusations over the past year.

According to EFE, Trump also expressed optimism about having a productive dialogue with Petro, highlighting that they will discuss the issue of drug trafficking, given that “massive quantities originate from his country.”

Meanwhile, Colombia's Foreign Ministry emphasized a positive atmosphere for the meeting, aiming to enhance diplomatic and economic relations between the two nations. The official delegation in Washington, led by Foreign Minister Rosa Yolanda Villavicencio, stated that the visit “symbolizes the strengthening of ties between Colombia and the United States, but also on a global scale.” They added that the Colombian government is “embracing the positive aspects of a relationship set to be renewed, promising significant social, diplomatic, and economic advancements for the region.”

In a video released by the Colombian Presidency, Ambassador Daniel García Peña mentioned that “President Petro has instructed us to prepare this meeting to ensure it benefits both countries.” Defense Minister Pedro Sánchez noted that “our best preparation for this meeting is our track record,” emphasizing that “coca crop expansion has practically halted” and that “if we tally everything, we’re talking about over three thousand tons of both cocaine and coca base.” He asserted that “Colombia is a strategic ally in the fight against drug trafficking.”

The meeting follows months of strained relations, highlighted by Colombia's decertification in the drug war, visa revocations for Petro, and financial sanctions from the U.S. Treasury Department. The bilateral relationship began to sour in 2025 when Petro blocked deportation flights from the U.S. and openly criticized Washington's policies toward Gaza and Venezuela.

Petro's four-day visit to Washington aims to mend fences with the Trump administration. The Colombian president arrived on Sunday night after receiving a special entry visa to the United States and plans to meet with business leaders, lawmakers, and the OAS Secretary-General, according to Colombian media outlets.

In addition to the meeting with Trump, the agenda includes discussions on migration, anti-drug cooperation, trade, and regional security. However, the private meeting between the two leaders at the White House is expected to be the most critical part of the visit, potentially shaping future relations between Bogotá and Washington following the capture of Nicolás Maduro on January 3rd, a military operation that marked a turning point in regional politics.

President Petro has also called for a mobilization in Bogotá’s Plaza de Bolívar on Tuesday, coinciding with the meeting in Washington. “Let Tuesday, if it doesn't rain, fill Plaza de Bolívar to defend democracy, vital wages, and peace in Colombia while I meet with Trump,” Petro posted on X.

The encounter between the two leaders takes place amid mutual distrust but also political interest. Petro seeks to ease sanctions and project an image of cooperation, while Trump aims to reinforce his hemispheric leadership and showcase outcomes in his anti-drug policy.