Smiles and gifts at the meeting between Trump and Petro at the White House: "You're great"

WashingtonAfter a tumultuous relationship over the past year, the meeting between Colombian President Gustavo Petro and Donald Trump at the White House concluded satisfactorily for both sides. The closed-door conversation, which lasted two hours, appears to have gone so well that the Colombian president left with two souvenirs: a photograph with Trump signed by the president and a copy of his book. Trump: The art of the dealThe photo, complete with a dedication, reads, "You're great." Petro himself shared both images on social media as proof of the positive experience in the Oval Office. This was confirmed by Trump, who also said the conversation "went very well." The face-to-face meeting represents a complete turnaround in the tense relations between Bogotá and Washington.

The reason for this positive rapport, which surprised many, was explained afterward. In the subsequent press conference, the Colombian president and former anti-imperialist guerrilla explained that he offered Trump his assistance in the economic reactivation of Venezuela. He hinted that the Colombian state oil company Ecopetrol could participate in the plan, but declined to provide details on how. "We have seen how to reactivate Venezuela, how a reactivation could be achieved with Colombia's help," Petro stated, adding that he had already had energy-related contacts with Venezuela in previous months and that, after Nicolás Maduro's capture, "the United States saw an immediate opportunity to lift sanctions in the West and open the possibility for Ecopetrol to be the central company in this reactivation." Petro, using an analogy with plumbers repairing pipes, proposed that this "reactivation" includes utilizing clean electricity produced in Colombia, as well as restoring existing gas pipelines, oil pipelines, and electrical connections. "It's not about how Ecopetrol enters Venezuela; that's a later issue. [...] What it's about is how the border is structured, which is like connecting some pipes, like at your house with the plumber; the pipes are closed and the gas, or relatively refined oil, passes through and is refined in our country, or it can continue into our country, or it can continue into another country, or it can continue into our country, or it can continue into another country. Colombia, and wherever these types of goods are sold. And in that regard, let's say that the proposals from the United States are on the table," explained Petro, who asserts that they have been discussed for years by both the Colombian company Ecopetrol and Venezuelan companies.

The Colombian leader has linked this economic reactivation plan as a complement to his strategy to combat drug trafficking. "The more northeastern Colombia and western Venezuela are economically reactivated, the less drug trafficking there will be."

Previously, in an interview on Radio Caracol, Petro had given the meeting with the president a 9 out of 10. "The meeting comes at a time when I think we have fears and expectations about the future, and that's what the meeting was about," he explained to the host. When asked if his stance toward the United States would change, Petro emphasized: "We must be able to speak the truth, avoid misinformation, and agree on a path forward."

The president did not receive the customary welcome given to heads of state with the honor guard on the North Portico of the White House. As it was an unofficial visit, he entered through the West Entrance, which connects the West Wing of the presidential residence to the Eisenhower Building. The only other leader to have used this access route during Trump's second term was Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, during his visit last year. But despite a lukewarm reception, the Colombian praised the tour he was given along the White House Walk of Fame. "This introduction has allowed me to establish a good relationship. I didn't know the White House; now I find it more beautiful, and I told [Trump] that he's a good designer," the Colombian explained. Since returning to power, Trump has been redecorating the Oval Office and every corner of the iconic building, whose Versailles-like aesthetic contrasts with the classic austere style. This is yet another reflection of the magnate's absolutist aspirations, with the construction of the ballroom being the crowning achievement.

Before the meeting, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that Trump "was in a very positive mood just before the meeting and was very much looking forward to having a conversation with President Petro." Based on images published in the press of the meeting, and the Colombian president's subsequent social media posts, it appears that both delegations shared a relaxed encounter.

History of Feuds

The recent clashes between the two leaders amid Trump's military campaign to revive his backyard doctrine in Latin America did not foreshadow such a friendly meeting. In fact, since the Republican returned to power, Petro has sought to position himself as the main opponent of Washington's imperialist ambitions. The Colombian was among the first to speak out against Trump for the bombings of alleged drug-trafficking boats, but he has recently toned down his rhetoric following the kidnapping of Nicolás Maduro. Bogotá has always been considered Trump's next target after Caracas. Just as he did with the deposed Chavista president, the US president has also accused Petro of being an "illegal drug kingpin," although he has provided no evidence. In January, already emboldened by the military intervention in Venezuela, he hinted at the possibility of similar action against Colombia.

Shortly after these threats, Petro called Trump to ease tensions. This conversation already set the tone for what transpired this Tuesday at the White House. The Colombian president described the 55-minute conversation as "friendly" and "historic." Even then, Petro asserted that they primarily discussed how to combat drug trafficking from Colombia. The main topic of Tuesday's meeting was also to be the fight against drug trafficking. Petro, who has the presidential elections on the horizon in May, advocates for seizures, demand reduction, and alternative economic projects for small-scale plantain farmers. The United States insists on crop eradication and supply control.