Washington, D.C. — Colombian President Gustavo Petro and U.S. President Donald Trump held a nearly two-hour meeting at the White House on Tuesday, in what both leaders described as a cordial and productive encounter, marking a significant shift after months of political tension between Washington and Bogotá.

Following the meeting, Trump summed up the tone of the talks with a blunt assessment: “We got along very well.” Petro, speaking later at a press conference, said his impression of the meeting was “positive” and noted an “optimistic atmosphere” despite differences on issues such as energy policy and anti-narcotics strategy.

One of the most commented moments came when Petro shared on social media an image of a copy of Trump’s book The Art of the Deal signed by the U.S. president with a handwritten dedication that read: “You’re great.” The Colombian leader joked about the message, but highlighted it as a symbol of a more relaxed and constructive tone between the two presidents.

Substantively, Petro said the talks included the situation in Venezuela and the possibility of a reactivation of the country’s economy through regional cooperation rather than isolation. “We discussed how Venezuela could be reactivated with the help of Colombia, on its border and in its neighborhood, and what role the United States could play,” the Colombian president explained.

The fight against drug trafficking was another central topic. Petro argued that the strategy should focus on large financial backers and international criminal structures whose capital operates outside Colombia. He said he provided Trump with information and names and stressed the need for joint action through intelligence sharing and international cooperation. Trump, for his part, confirmed that they discussed a potential agreement on drugs, although he did not provide details.

The meeting represents a notable change in tone after previous public clashes, when Trump had sharply criticized Petro and questioned Colombia’s role in combating drug trafficking. To make the visit possible, the U.S. government granted Petro a short-term visa, allowing him to travel to Washington and reopen direct high-level dialogue.

While both sides acknowledged that significant differences remain, they also agreed that the meeting opened a window for rebuilding bilateral relations and advancing cooperation on security, regional stability, and economic issues.