US President
Donald Trump and Colombian President Gustavo Petro had their first phone call after recent trading of harsh words. The 35-minute conversation happened just days after Trump accused Petro of drug trafficking and made threats about possible US military action in Latin America, like the one in Venezuela. Both leaders agreed to meet in person soon.
Trump shared news of the call on his social media platform Truth Social, saying, "It was a Great Honor to speak with the President of Colombia, Gustavo Petro, who called to explain the situation of drugs and other disagreements that we have had." He added that he looked forward to meeting Petro soon.
"I appreciated his call and tone, and look forward to meeting him in the near future. Arrangements are being made between Secretary of State
Marco Rubio and the Foreign Minister of Colombia. The meeting will take place in the White House in Washington, DC," he added.
Trump's post on Truth Social
The call came at a tense time. Trump had recently called Petro a "sick man who likes making cocaine and selling it to the United States," and even suggested he supported military action against Colombia when asked by a news reporter.
The situation got more serious when Petro responded to US strikes on Venezuela. He warned about defending Colombia's sovereignty, saying "If you bomb peasants, thousands of guerrillas will return to the mountains." He also cautioned that arresting him would "unleash the popular jaguar."
Taking protective measures, Petro sent 30,000 Colombian soldiers to guard the border with Venezuela on Sunday.
Trump's tough talk wasn't just aimed at Colombia. He also threatened to send US military forces after drug cartel leaders in Mexico and suggested Cuba's government might fall without Venezuela's support.
The Colombian government described the call between the two leaders as "good and positive," showing signs of possible improvement in the strained relationship between the two countries.
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