Colombia’s EGC suspends Doha peace talks over Petro-Trump meeting

The Gaitanist Army of Colombia (EGC), the country's largest criminal organization, has temporarily suspended peace talks with the Colombian government in Qatar. The suspension was announced after reports surfaced that Colombian President Gustavo Petro pledged to target the EGC's leader, Jesus Avila Villadiego, for arrest, with a reward of $1.37 million for his capture. This announcement followed a meeting between Petro and US President Donald Trump, where Trump pressured Colombia to increase efforts against narcotics trafficking. Petro's administration presented a dossier to the US detailing their counter-narcotics operations, including statistics on cocaine seizures and arrests of drug lords. The EGC stated the suspension will continue until they receive clarification from the Petro administration regarding the reports.

In February 2026, US President Donald Trump and Colombian President Gustavo Petro met at the White House in Washington, D.C., despite previous clashes over drug trafficking and US intervention. Both leaders described the meeting as productive, focusing on issues like combating transnational drug trafficking and regional security in Latin America. Petro emphasized the meeting was between equals with differing viewpoints, while Trump called it "terrific." The meeting, which lasted nearly two hours behind closed doors, concluded with Trump gifting Petro a signed photograph and a copy of "The Art of the Deal" with a personal note. The meeting aimed to address tensions and find common ground despite disagreements.

Despite months of public insults, Colombian President Gustavo Petro and former U.S. President Donald Trump held an amicable closed-door meeting at the White House. The meeting, which lacked press access, occurred after Trump previously criticized Petro's leadership and Colombia's drug production, while Petro rebuked Trump's policies. Both leaders shared images on social media showcasing signed memorabilia, including a copy of "The Art of the Deal" and a photo with a personalized message from Trump. Petro was also photographed wearing a "MAGA" cap. Trump stated that they "got along very well" despite their prior disagreements, and Petro praised Trump's frankness in an interview. The purpose of the meeting was not explicitly stated, but drug trafficking was mentioned as a topic of discussion.

President Donald Trump is scheduled to host Colombian President Gustavo Petro at the White House on Tuesday for discussions on regional security and counternarcotics, despite recent tensions. This meeting occurs weeks after Trump criticized Petro, accusing him of fueling the drug trade and even suggesting military action against Colombia. While U.S. officials emphasize cooperation on security issues, the relationship is strained by ideological differences and past verbal exchanges. Petro has recently criticized Trump's policies and called for protests in Colombia during the White House visit. The meeting's unpredictable nature is heightened by the leaders' history of strong rhetoric, creating uncertainty about the outcome of the discussions.

President Donald Trump is scheduled to host Colombian President Gustavo Petro at the White House on Tuesday for high-stakes talks. The meeting comes after a period of strained relations between the two countries, marked by disagreements over drug policy, security cooperation, and migration. Trump indicated that drug trafficking will be a primary focus of the discussion, highlighting the significant amount of narcotics originating from Colombia. Despite past tensions, Trump noted a recent improvement in Petro's attitude, particularly after a Venezuelan raid. The U.S. and Colombia, historically close partners in counternarcotics efforts, have seen their relationship tested in recent years due to diverging priorities.

US President Donald Trump is scheduled to meet with Colombian President Gustavo Petro at the White House. The meeting, set for 11am (16:00 GMT), comes shortly after Trump threatened military action against Colombia. Despite recent tensions, Trump indicated that Petro appears more cooperative regarding efforts to combat illegal drug trafficking from Colombia. Petro has been critical of Trump and the US operation to abduct Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro. The meeting aims to address these issues and potentially improve US-Colombia relations, which have faced strain in recent months.

Colombian President Gustavo Petro will meet with US President Donald Trump in Washington D.C. on Tuesday, marking their first in-person meeting after months of escalating tensions. The meeting aims to address critical issues such as Venezuela, drug trafficking, oil, security, and US military actions against alleged drug vessels. Relations between the two leaders have been strained, with Petro criticizing US foreign policy and Trump accusing Colombia of insufficient efforts to combat cocaine production. Senator Rand Paul played a key role in facilitating a recent phone call between Petro and Trump, leading to improved relations and paving the way for the White House meeting. Discussions are expected to focus on shared concerns regarding security in Venezuela.

Colombian President Gustavo Petro, a known critic of President Trump, is scheduled to meet with him at the White House on February 3rd. The meeting aims to de-escalate tensions that arose after threats from Mr. Trump and to address issues like combating transnational organized crime. Petro's recent criticisms of U.S. policy, including remarks about Gaza and Venezuela, have raised concerns about the meeting's potential outcome. Despite the planned focus on cooperation, both leaders are known for their outspokenness, making the meeting's direction uncertain. The meeting follows a nearly hour-long call between the two leaders in January.