Colombian President Gustavo Petro met with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House on February 3, marking a new stage in bilateral relations between Colombia and the United States. 

The meeting combined a formal agenda focused on anti-drug cooperation with a wave of political reactions and social media buzz.

Petro arrived at the White House in a motorcade under U.S. Secret Service protection, accompanied by Colombia’s ambassador to Washington, Daniel García-Peña. Before entering the building, the Colombian leader delivered brief remarks highlighting the importance of the fight against drug trafficking and its impact on Colombian society.

The meeting was held behind closed doors, with limited press access. Only two official cameras documented the Oval Office talks, which centered on illicit crop eradication and security cooperation. Both governments described the encounter as constructive.

The Colombian delegation included Foreign Minister Rosa Yolanda Villavicencio, Defense Minister Pedro Sánchez, and senior officials involved in drug substitution policies. On the U.S. side, Trump was joined by Vice President J.D. Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Senator Bernie Moreno.

Political reactions in Colombia were mixed, ranging from criticism by opposition figures to support from government allies, while social media users turned moments of the visit into viral memes. 

Regionally, the meeting was closely watched, including in Venezuela, where figures aligned with Delcy Rodríguez followed the renewed U.S. engagement in South America.

The visit underscored a pragmatic reset in relations between Petro and Trump, blending diplomacy, domestic politics, and digital-age spectacle.