In a surprising diplomatic shift, Colombian President Gustavo Petro met with former U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House on Tuesday, signaling a potential thaw in relations following a period of public disagreement. The meeting-unusual given Trump is no longer in office-focused on key issues including drug policy, regional stability, and Petro’s request for reconsideration on a U.S. narcotics watchlist. Following the encounter, Petro shared images and details of personal exchanges with Trump, revealing a warmer dynamic than previously displayed and hinting at ongoing discussions regarding cooperation on matters impacting both nations.
Colombian President Gustavo Petro revealed handwritten notes he received from former U.S. President Donald Trump following a meeting at the White House on Tuesday, March 26, aimed at easing tensions between the two countries. The exchange marks a surprising turn in a relationship that has been publicly strained by sharp rhetoric.
Petro shared images of a firm handshake between himself and Trump, along with gifts from the former U.S. leader. These included an official folder inscribed with “Gustavo, a great honor. I love Colombia” and a copy of Trump’s book, “The Art of the Deal,” bearing the message “You Are Great.”
The Colombian president playfully acknowledged his limited English skills while highlighting Trump’s message. “What did Trump mean with this dedication? I don’t understand much English,” Petro wrote on his social media account, pinning the message to the top of his X profile.
During the meeting in Washington, Petro presented Trump with a traditional ‘ancheta’ – a gift basket – filled with specialty coffee and chocolates produced by rural families who have transitioned from coca cultivation to legal crops through substitution programs, according to reports from El Tiempo.
Personalized cards accompanied each item in the basket, addressed to Trump, Vice President J.D. Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, and Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt.
Petro also reportedly proposed a lighthearted alteration to Trump’s signature campaign slogan, “Make America Great Again.” “I proposed to Donald Trump a change in fashion: adding an ‘S’ to America. It seems he liked it. Americas,” Petro posted, later elaborating in a press conference on the need to uplift the entire continent. “That can only be done with respect between two different civilizations (Latin America and the U.S.) – that’s what a pact for life is,” he said.
The meeting between Trump and Petro was the first since a public dispute erupted between the two leaders, fueled by accusations exchanged on social media. Trump had previously accused Petro of being a “narcoterrorist,” while Petro criticized the potential apprehension of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro by the U.S. as a “kidnapping.”
Discussions during the meeting reportedly included Petro’s potential request to be removed from the Clinton List – a U.S. Treasury Department registry of individuals and entities linked to drug trafficking – as well as matters of migration and potential cooperation on Venezuela’s political transition.
According to El Tiempo, a central focus of the conversation was anti-narcotics policy and counter-terrorism efforts, with Petro highlighting recent drug seizures. Trump reportedly pledged to provide the U.S. technology to support eradication, location, and destruction of illicit laboratories.
The former U.S. president also reportedly offered to mediate tensions between Petro and Daniel Noboa, the president of Ecuador, and to help resolve a trade dispute that has increased costs along the border. The offer of mediation underscores the potential for the U.S. to play a larger role in regional stability.
Petro extended an invitation to Trump to visit Colombia, specifically the historic city of Cartagena, during a press conference following the meeting.
Trump described the encounter positively, stating, “He and I weren’t exactly the best friends, but I didn’t feel insulted because I never knew him. I didn’t know him at all. And we got along very well, and we still do. We are also working on some other things, including sanctions. Yes, we had a very good meeting. I thought it was fantastic. We got along wonderfully.”
