A Telephone Conversation Between American and Colombian Leaders
Despite the increased tension between the two countries, the American President had a recent phone conversation with his Colombian counterpart, Gustavo Petro. The American leader has previously made critical comments about Colombia, referring to it as a "sick man" and hinting at potential military action.
However, the American President indicated on his social media account that he valued the tone of the conversation with Petro. He also revealed that the two heads of state are looking forward to a future meeting at the White House. The primary subject of their call was the ongoing issues surrounding drug trafficking and other points of contention between the two nations.
Colombian Response to the Call
The Colombian embassy in the U.S expressed satisfaction at the constructive nature of the conversation, reinforcing the country's commitment to open dialogue. An insider from the Colombian administration characterized the call as "very positive," noting a significant shift in the rhetoric from both sides. A senior Colombian official celebrated the successful conversation with a simple exclamation, "we did it!"
Points of Disagreement
On his social media platform, Petro shared that he and the American President had discussed their differences regarding the relationship between the United States and Latin America. Petro believes that the U.S. can form partnerships with Latin American countries on energy issues, using U.S. investment, but should not exploit the region solely for oil.
To illustrate his point, Petro posted a picture of a jaguar and a bald eagle embracing, a symbol of potential unity between the two nations. The Colombian leader has warned in the past that any U.S. aggression towards Colombia would "awaken the jaguar."
Past Tensions and Allegations
The relationship between the U.S. and Colombia has been strained for some time. The American administration has accused the Colombian government of failing to control a surge in cocaine production. Last year, the American President labeled Petro as an "illegal drug leader," and the Treasury Secretary imposed sanctions on Petro and his family, alleging that he facilitated drug cartels and failed to curb their activities.
Petro, on the other hand, has been a vocal critic of the U.S.'s military presence near Latin America. He condemned the American administration's strikes on suspected drug boats in a speech before the United Nations, and later at a protest rally in New York, he urged U.S. military personnel to "disobey the orders of the American President." His actions led to the revocation of his visa by the State Department, which described his actions as "reckless and incendiary."
Recent Events and Future Implications
The tension between the two countries escalated after the U.S. military's recent capture of former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, an action Petro decried as an act of "aggression."
Following the operation, the American President expressed his displeasure towards Petro, accusing him of being a "sick man" involved in cocaine production and trafficking to the U.S. When asked if this could lead to a potential U.S. operation in Colombia, he responded, "It sounds good to me."