UPDATE - Trump says he spoke to Colombia's Petro; plans White House meeting

ADDS STATEMENT FROM PETRO

​​​​​​​By Berk Kutay Gokmen and Diyar Guldogan

ISTANBUL/WASHINGTON (AA) - US President Donald Trump said Wednesday it was a “great honor” to speak with his Colombian counterpart, Gustavo Petro, who called to discuss issues, including drug trafficking and other disputes between the two countries.

"I appreciated his call and tone, and look forward to meeting him in the near future," Trump wrote on Truth Social.

Trump said arrangements for the meeting are being coordinated between US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Colombia’s Foreign Minister Rosa Villavicencio.

"The meeting is expected to take place at the White House in Washington, D.C.," he added.

Petro said on US social media company X that the two leaders discussed “disagreement” about Trump’s view of the relationship between the US and Latin America.

He noted it would be possible to establish an “American alliance” if the annual potential of clean energy in South America were harnessed, adding that Latin America could enable 100% of the US energy matrix in a step to “fight to stop the climate crisis.”

“Using Latin America solely for oil would only lead to the destruction of international law and therefore to barbarism and a third world war,” Petro added.

He proposed that a $500 billion investment by the US could make the “clean energy potential of Latin America” a reality.

Earlier, Trump issued a warning to Petro, accusing him of being a drug trafficker.

The Colombian president has denied the accusations, asserting that he has never been involved in drug trafficking.