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Trump hosts Colombian President Petro weeks after calling him a "sick man"

Rubio grants temporary visa after revoking it, Vance and Moreno join talks on drugs and Venezuela·February 3, 2026

On Feb. 3, 2026, Trump hosted Colombian President Gustavo Petro at the White House, their first face-to-face meeting after a year of public feuding. Secretary of State Marco Rubio granted Petro a temporary five-day visa after the State Department had revoked it in September 2025 when Petro encouraged U.S. soldiers to disobey orders. Vice President JD Vance and Sen. Bernie Moreno (R-OH) joined the meeting. The reconciliation follows their January 2025 standoff when Trump threatened 50% tariffs after Petro refused U.S. military deportation flights. Trump said Petro "became very nice" after the January 2026 U.S. capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.

Key facts

Trump hosted Colombian President Gustavo Petro at the White House on February 3, 2026, for a nearly two-hour closed-door meeting. This was their first face-to-face meeting after a year of public feuding, threats, and insults.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio granted Petro a temporary five-day visa after the State Department revoked it in September 2025. Petro lost his visa when he urged American soldiers to disobey orders during a pro-Palestinian rally at the UN General Assembly in New York.

In January 2025, Trump threatened 25% tariffs (escalating to 50%) after Petro refused to accept U.S. military flights carrying deportees. Colombia backed down within approximately 24 hours, agreeing to all of Trump's terms.

On January 3, 2026, U.S. forces captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in Operation Absolute Resolve and flew him to New York to face narco-terrorism charges. Trump said Petro 'became very nice' after this operation.

Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Sen. Bernie Moreno (R-OH) joined the meeting. Moreno was born in Colombia and has become a key voice influencing U.S. policy toward the country.

The leaders discussed counternarcotics, Venezuela, energy, and economic development near Colombia's borders with Venezuela and Ecuador. Both sides agreed to restart dialogue on migration and trade.

Petro received a red MAGA hat during the meeting and used a pen to change the slogan to 'Make the Americas Great Again.' Trump gave Petro a signed copy of 'The Art of the Deal' inscribed 'You are great.'

Petro's four-year presidential term ends in August 2026, and Colombia's constitution bars him from seeking re-election. Presidential elections are scheduled for May 31, 2026.

In October 2025, the Trump administration imposed sanctions on Petro, his family, and a member of his government over accusations of involvement in the global drug trade. These sanctions had to be waived for Petro to travel to Washington.