Overview
- Photographs released by both governments confirmed private talks in the Oval Office with no press access and no ceremonial welcome.
- The agenda focused on regional security and counternarcotics cooperation as U.S. decertification of Colombia and Treasury sanctions on Petro and relatives continue to frame the relationship.
- Colombia extradited alleged drug boss Andrés Felipe Marín Silva, known as 'Pipe Tuluá', to the United States in the days before the visit.
- Both sides brought senior officials to the meeting, which multiple reports said lasted around two hours and was described as cordial by spokespersons.
- A January 7 phone call paved the way for the invitation after tensions fueled by U.S. maritime strikes on suspected smuggling vessels, casualties at sea, and the U.S. operation to detain Nicolás Maduro.