How an Unexpected Call Between Trump and Colombia’s President Averted a Crisis
President Trump referred to his phone discussion on Wednesday evening with Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro as a “Great Honor.” In response, Mr. Petro called it “Historic.” This marked a stark departure from the leadership styles of the two men, who had spent almost a year engaging in social media disputes that included dismissive and biting comments about one another’s politics and personal attributes. This surprising change in communication — along with the potential for renewed dialogue between longstanding allies — may impact the developments in a newly unstable region following the U.S. intervention in Venezuela’s leadership. If a shift occurs, it would be due to an impromptu call organized by officials from both nations after Mr. Trump appeared to suggest military intervention against Colombia and other nations on Sunday. In a Thursday interview with The New York Times — his second within 48 hours — Mr. Petro, a 65-year-old leftist known for lengthy speeches, mentioned that he did most of the talking during the 55-minute conversation, allowing Mr. Trump to speak only during the final quarter-hour. Mr. Petro asserted that no specific demands or collaborations were proposed; those discussions would follow — likely during an anticipated White House visit that Mr. Trump hinted at in a congenial social media message post-call. The conversation opened the door to the possibility that Mr. Petro, akin to left-leaning leaders in Brazil and Mexico, might navigate through the threats posed by Washington — which included potential military actions or increased tariffs — and carefully balance fulfilling Mr. Trump’s expectations while adhering to his own values. With Mr. Petro facing a term limit, he is set to exit office this year, with elections planned for May. Although Mr. Petro characterized the call as “friendly,” he made it clear that he would remain true to his beliefs rather than seek to placate Mr. Trump, opting instead for constructive dialogue.
During the interview on Thursday, Mr. Petro expressed his intent to challenge Mr. Trump over fossil fuel support versus renewable energy sources. He labeled U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), whose agents were involved in a fatal incident in Minnesota this week, “fascist.” When asked if he received advice to temper his language ahead of the White House meeting, he chuckled and remarked, “I have to say what I think.” The two leaders appeared to find common ground on addressing drug production and trafficking, as noted by Mr. Petro. “He didn’t discuss Venezuela or any other global matters. His focus was solely on narco-trafficking,” Mr. Petro stated about Mr. Trump, who held the discussion while officials such as Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio were present. Mr. Petro’s position on the topic seems to have taken a more resolute turn, especially with the halting of peace negotiations with the E.L.N., a Colombian revolutionary faction that has faced increased confrontations with government forces and rival factions, particularly near the Venezuelan border, and which was mentioned in the U.S. government’s indictment against Mr. Maduro. Mr. Petro indicated that he instructed his security council last weekend to elevate military operations against the group.
Additionally, Mr. Petro reiterated to Mr. Trump that cocaine seizures are currently at all-time highs. While the increase in coca cultivation in Colombia has moderated, it remains at unprecedented levels, along with cocaine production. Just days prior to their friendly phone call, Mr. Trump accused Mr. Petro of being a “sick man” managing “cocaine factories” that send narcotics to the United States and, when queried about potential military action against Colombia, he responded, “sounds good.” Mr. Trump’s threats were taken earnestly by Mr. Petro and his foreign minister, who affirmed that Colombia’s military is robust and ready to respond. Simultaneously, some members of Petro’s administration were urgently seeking a way to de-escalate what appeared to be a crisis unfolding. Leading that effort was Colombia’s ambassador to the United States, Daniel García-Peña, along with Senator Rand Paul, a Republican from Kentucky, who both Mr. Petro and Mr. García-Peña cited as pivotal in facilitating the phone call between the two leaders. Mr. Paul has been a strong opponent of U.S. foreign interventions. Mr. García-Peña noted that he had spoken with over 100 U.S. legislators in recent months while trying to organize a meeting between Mr. Trump and Mr. Petro. He emphasized that Mr. Paul’s worries about Mr. Petro potentially facing a fate similar to Mr. Maduro’s — risking further entanglement for the U.S. — were genuine. “We had a long, long conversation,” Mr. García-Peña recounted, mentioning his discussion with Mr. Paul, “And that’s when I asked him if he could assist us in reaching out to President Trump.” The senator’s office did not provide an immediate response for comment, but Mr. Paul told journalists on Thursday that Mr. Trump had readily agreed to his proposition for a call, adding, “I believe Mr. Trump still desires diplomacy and peace.” Notable political figures in Colombia from various sides of the spectrum — including Juan Manuel Santos, the former right-wing president who received the Nobel Peace Prize for brokering a deal to conclude Colombia’s long-standing conflict — largely exhaled in relief. Senator Iván Cepeda, a Mr. Petro supporter and a left-wing presidential candidate to succeed him, recently defended Mr. Petro after claiming that Mr. Trump was responsible for “murder” due to the lethal airstrikes conducted by the U.S. administration against boats alleged to be involved in drug smuggling.
Following the call with Mr. Trump, Mr. Cepeda stated in an interview that Mr. Petro’s engagement with the American president “is what’s desirable, necessary,” further stating, “From my viewpoint, not as a candidate but as a Colombian citizen, I support any initiative that may pave the way for peace in our region.” Mr. Petro spent a considerable portion of the week cautioning online that Mr. Trump’s threats had stirred the “jaguar” in Latin America, a term signifying anti-imperialist sentiments in the area, and urged citizens to gather on Wednesday evening. The protest in Plaza Bolívar, located in Bogotá’s historic center, left behind anti-American slogans and graffiti along with banners stating, “We are a dignified and sovereign people.” A Colombian flag was wrapped around the statue of Simón Bolívar, who liberated Colombia from Spanish control. The atmosphere changed significantly the following day. While Mr. Petro prepared for another interview with The Times on Thursday, he remarked, “When did we last communicate? Yesterday afternoon? Certain days feel like years.” Jorge Valencia and Genevieve Glatsky contributed reporting from Bogotá, Ana Ionova from Río de Janeiro, Jack Nicas and Emiliano Rodríguez Mega from Mexico City, and Robert Jimison and Edward Wong from Washington.
Published: 2026-01-09 16:31:00
source: www.nytimes.com
