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LATIN AMERICA ADVISOR

LATIN AMERICA ADVISOR

A daily publication Of the dialogue

January 20, 2026

Where Do U.S.-Colombia Relations Currently Stand?

Colombian President Gustavo Petro sharply criticized the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump following U.S. special forces’ Jan. 3 capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. // File Photo: Colombian Government via Flickr PDM 1.0.

Q

  • U.S. President Donald Trump on Jan. 7 said it was a “great honor” to speak by phone with Colombian President Gustavo Petro, with whom he has had tense relations. Trump said he and Petro will meet soon at the White House, a statement that came just days after Trump called Petro “a sick man who likes making cocaine and selling it to the United States.” How likely are Trump and Petro to find common ground, and what are the main points of contention? How will the U.S. seizure of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro affect relations between Colombia and the United States? To what extent will Trump likely play a role in Colombia’s May presidential election?

A

Sergio Guzmán, co-founder and director of Colombia Risk Analysis: “There are three scenarios for the planned Oval Office meeting between Petro and Trump. The first, and perhaps worst case, is that both men’s personalities, egos and proclivity for political theatrics will create a tension that transcends their mutual dislike and damages the bilateral relationship affecting businesses, tourism and the alliance between both countries. Alternatively, Trump could ask Colombia to make some commitments to restore its good-standing with the United States and remove Petro and some people in his inner circle from the OFAC sanctions list. Those commitments could include the resumption of aerial fumigation (which is more legally complicated than Petro or Trump would like to get into) and collaboration for Colombia to continue receiving migrants from Venezuela and elsewhere, as well as assurances from Petro that he…”

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The Inter-American Dialogue publishes the Latin America Advisor every business day for a distinguished membership of informed corporate leaders, scholars, and government officials invested in Latin America’s development and future. The Advisor‘s highly regarded Q&A section covers questions submitted by subscribers themselves. Commentators regularly include heads of state, business leaders, diplomats, economists, analysts, and thought leaders from around the world. Many of the world’s largest and fastest-growing companies subscribe to the Advisor. To subscribe, click here. For terms and conditions, click here. For more information, contact Gene Kuleta, editor of the Advisor, at gkuleta@thedialogue.org.
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Merike Blofield
Professor of Political Science,
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Devry Boughner Vorwerk
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Nicolas Mariscal
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Thomas F. McLarty III
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Ernesto Revilla
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