Скачать или смотреть WATCH: US-Colombia Relations: Inside the High-Stakes Trump-Petro Summit

1. The "Maduro Factor" (New Context)
The most explosive backdrop to this meeting is the recent U.S. military operation (on January 3, 2026) that captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.

Trump's Stance: He views this as a major victory against "narcoterrorism."

Petro's Stance: He publicly called the operation a "kidnapping" and has criticized U.S. interventionism.

The Tension: Petro is walking into the Oval Office just weeks after this event, which destabilized the region and put Colombia (Venezuela's neighbor) on high alert.

2. Personal Hostility to "Truce"
Few world leaders have traded insults as harsh as these two have recently:

Trump recently called Petro a "sick man" and a "drug trafficker" and even revoked his U.S. Visa: A special waiver was granted for this trip.

Petro has called Trump an "accomplice to genocide" regarding the conflict in Gaza.

The Pivot: A phone call on January 7th surprisingly calmed the waters. Trump claimed Petro "changed his attitude," leading to this invitation.

3. What Will Be Negotiated?
Deportation Flights: Just days before this meeting, Colombia resumed accepting deportation flights from the U.S., a likely "peace offering" from Petro to smooth the way for these talks.

Sanctions: Petro is expected to ask for the lifting of U.S. sanctions that were recently placed on him and his inner circle.

Drug Policy: This is the traditional friction point. Trump wants aggressive eradication (spraying crops); Petro wants voluntary substitution for farmers.

Join this channel to get access to perks:
   / @defensenow  

Defense Now | January 2026
   • DN January 2026  

Members-only videos
   • Members-only videos  

The President trump participates in a meeting with the President of the Republic of Colombia

Film Credits: White House Communications Agency
This stream is created with #PRISMLiveStudio