In response to US President Donald Trump's announcement of a White House meeting, Colombian President Gustavo Petro accused domestic extreme-right sectors of a smear campaign targeting his anti-drug policy to US authorities. Through international media interviews, Petro defended Colombia's drug seizure efforts and outlined priorities for the bilateral talks.
Following Trump's confirmation of a first-week-of-February White House summit—building on their January 7 phone call—Colombia's President Gustavo Petro conducted interviews with major outlets to address US relations and counter misinformation.
Speaking to The New York Times, Petro noted Trump wishes to center any meeting on narcotraffic. He told CBS News that absent direct communication has strained ties, but they must be rebuilt on verified data, not falsehoods.
Petro informed Telemundo 51 of plans to present Trump with a goldsmithing gift showcasing Colombia's cultural heritage. He dismissed BBC reports of waning US anti-drug cooperation, emphasizing Colombia's role in 63% of seizure operations and over 2,800 tons confiscated under his administration.
In El País, Petro condemned extreme-right efforts to delegitimize his policy via baseless accusations to US officials, aiming to justify aggression against Colombia. These statements underscore Petro's push for fact-based diplomacy ahead of the summit.
