Trump Gustavo Petro White House Meeting Set Amid Post-Maduro Regional Turmoil

From 'watch your ass' to a 'great honor' in record time. US President Donald Trump announced he'll meet Colombian counterpart Gustavo Petro at the White House in the near future. This sudden diplomatic pivot follows a massive US-led raid in Venezuela that successfully seized Nicolás Maduro just days ago.

The Trump Gustavo Petro White House Meeting: A Strategic Thaw

According to Reuters, Trump described his conversation with Petro as a "Great Honor" on Truth Social, a stark departure from his earlier rhetoric. Only days prior, Trump had labeled Petro a "sick man" involved in the cocaine trade. The change in tone suggests a calculated move to stabilize the region after the dramatic removal of the Venezuelan leader.

During the call, Petro reportedly explained "the situation of drugs and other disagreements." Trump noted that he appreciated the Colombian president's tone. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is now tasked with arranging the logistics for Petro's travel to Washington.

Rising Death Toll and Energy Control in Venezuela

The geopolitical shift comes as the human cost of the Venezuela operation becomes clearer. Venezuelan Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello stated on Wednesday that the death toll in the raid was substantially higher than initially thought, with more than 100 people killed. Local reports had previously cited 23 Venezuelan and 32 Cuban soldiers among the dead.

The White House has declared it will control Venezuelan oil sales "indefinitely." With Colombia being another major hub for oil, gold, and emeralds, Petro's administration—which faced US sanctions in October 2025 for failing to curb drug trafficking—is now navigating a new reality of US dominance in the region.