Overview

• The June 23 letter leaked Monday shows Petro retracting accusations that U.S. officials plotted to overthrow his government and apologizing for any personal insinuations.
• Petro’s public remarks on June 11 had named Secretary of State Marco Rubio in an alleged coup plot, comments that lacked substantiating evidence.
• In response to Petro’s statements, the U.S. State Department recalled its top diplomat from Bogotá and Colombia then withdrew its ambassador from Washington.
• Colombian prosecutors have opened a formal investigation into leaked recordings implicating U.S. congressmen in plans to remove Petro from office.
• White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said it remains unclear whether President Trump has seen the retraction letter