Trump to Meet Colombia's Petro at the White House in a Diplomatic Turn

Donald John Trump, born June 14, 1946, in Queens, New York, is an American businessman, media personality, and politician. He graduated from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School in 1968 with a degree in economics. In 1971, he took over his family’s real estate business, renaming it the Trump Organization, through which he expanded into building and managing skyscrapers, hotels, casinos, and golf courses. Trump gained widespread fame as the host of the reality TV show *The Apprentice* from 2004 to 2015, which helped establish his public persona as a successful entrepreneur. Trump entered politics as a Republican and was elected the 45th president of the United States, serving from 2017 to 2021. His presidency was marked by significant policy actions including tax cuts, deregulation, the appointment of three Supreme Court justices, renegotiation of trade agreements (notably replacing NAFTA with the USMCA), and a focus on immigration control including border wall expansion. He withdrew the U.S. from international agreements such as the Paris Climate Accord and the Iran nuclear deal, and engaged in a trade war with China. His administration’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic was criticized for downplaying the virus’s severity. Trump was impeached twice by the House of Representatives—first in 2019 for abuse of power and obstruction, and again in 2021 for incitement of insurrection—but was acquitted by the Senate both times. After losing the 2020 election to Joe Biden, Trump challenged the results, culminating in the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot. He remains a central figure in American politics, having won the 2024 presidential election and returned as the 47th president in 2025, continuing to promote policies aimed at economic growth, border security, and military strength[1][2][3][4].

Gustavo Francisco Petro Urrego, born April 19, 1960, in Ciénaga de Oro, Colombia, is a Colombian politician and economist who has been serving as the president of Colombia since August 7, 2022. He is the country’s first left-wing president. Petro began his political involvement as a member of the Marxist guerrilla group 19th of April Movement (M-19) in his youth but later transitioned into formal politics following the group's demobilization and transformation into a political party. Petro’s political career includes terms as a member of the Colombian House of Representatives (1991–1994, 1998–2006) and as a senator (2006–2010, 2018–2022). He was mayor of Bogotá from 2012 to 2015, where he focused on social programs targeting poverty reduction, environmental protection, and public safety, including banning firearms in the city to reduce violence. His tenure as mayor was contentious; he was briefly removed from office in 2013 over management issues but was reinstated after public protests and legal challenges. Petro ran unsuccessfully for president in 2010 and 2018 before winning the 2022 election as the candidate of the leftist coalition Historic Pact for Colombia. His 2022 campaign emphasized climate change action, including ending fossil fuel exploration, social justice reforms, and peace-building initiatives aimed at addressing Colombia’s longstanding internal conflicts. His administration focuses on reducing inequality, reforming healthcare and pensions, promoting sustainable economic development, and pursuing comprehensive peace through dialogue with armed groups. Petro’s vice president, Francia Márquez, is the first Black woman to hold that office in Colombia. Since taking office, Petro has faced political challenges in Congress and from conservative sectors but remains a pivotal figure in Colombia’s political landscape, seeking to transform the country’s social and economic policies[1][2][4][5][6][8][9].