Overview
- Both leaders confirmed a phone call that focused on drugs and other disputes, the first contact following days of threats and harsh rhetoric from Washington.
- Trump said arrangements are being made for a White House meeting and for follow-up talks between Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Colombia’s foreign minister, without giving a date.
- A source in Petro’s office described the conversation as cordial and respectful, and Petro told supporters he sought to restart direct dialogue.
- The outreach comes after U.S. sanctions were imposed on Petro in October over alleged facilitation of the drug trade, accusations the Colombian government rejects.
- Tensions have risen with a U.S. campaign of more than 30 strikes on suspected drug boats reported to have killed at least 110 people, as well as the recent U.S. raid in Venezuela that Petro criticized.