Trump hosts Colombia's Petro at White House after months of threats and insults

President Trump welcomed Colombian President Gustavo Petro to the White House on February 3, 2026 — the first face-to-face meeting between the two leaders — following months of the most volatile bilateral tensions in the Western Hemisphere. The January 2026 standoff began when Petro refused US military deportation flights, prompting Trump to threaten tariffs and sanctions before Petro capitulated. The two-hour meeting ended with Trump declaring it "a great honor" and gifting Petro a red MAGA hat; discussions focused on drug trafficking and counternarcotics cooperation.