US President Donald Trump has said he will meet his Colombian counterpart Gustavo Petro at the White House in the 'near future', just days after expressing support for an operation targeting Colombia that 'sounds good'. This meeting is set against a backdrop of increased military operations in neighboring Venezuela, where the US recently executed a raid resulting in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
Following the raid, which has been reported to have caused over 100 fatalities, Venezuelan Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello claimed the death toll was significantly higher than initially reported, with casualties among both Venezuelan and Cuban military personnel.
During a recent conversation, Trump praised Petro's tone while discussing the critical issues of drugs and other disagreements. Despite previous strong remarks, including a warning to Petro, Trump later characterized their dialogue as a 'Great Honor' and noted that arrangements would be made for Petro to visit Washington.
Petro, who leads Colombia—a major hub for drug production and trade—has faced pressure from the US regarding drug trafficking. Recent US sanctions were imposed due to perceived failures in combating the drug trade. In light of these tensions, Petro warned against the consequences of US military actions, indicating that Colombia would respond vigorously to any attacks on its sovereignty.
While the US is repositioning its control over Venezuelan oil sales, both Colombia and Venezuela also hold significant oil reserves, making the geopolitical landscape even more complex. The unfolding events continue to shape the relationship between these nations amidst the ongoing issues surrounding drug trade and military interventions.
