"Colombian President Gustavo Petro held his first telephone conversation with his US counterpart, Donald Trump, on Wednesday amid heightened diplomatic tensions between the two capitals. The leaders discussed bilateral concerns, notably the situation in Venezuela and efforts to combat narcotics trafficking, and agreed to pursue further engagement, including a planned official visit to the White House. During a demonstration in Plaza de Bolívar in Bogota, held in defence of national sovereignty, Petro told supporters that the call lasted nearly an hour and covered key issues affecting both countries. As he explained, one of his priorities was to restore direct communications between the foreign ministries and reinforce dialogue at the highest levels. “In the conversation I raised two topics, ‘so as not to go on too long’, I told him, and one request was that direct communications be restored between Foreign Minister Diaz and the president,” Petro said. “So what did I talk about? Two things, Venezuela and the issue of drug trafficking.” "What was Trump's response? Trump says, of course, words have to be followed by actions," Petro added. Trump also commented on the exchange on his social media platform, Truth Social, describing the conversation as 'cordial' and announcing an upcoming face-to-face meeting. “It was a great honour to speak with the President of Colombia, Gustavo Petro, who called me to explain the situation regarding drugs and other disagreements we have had. I thanked him for his call and his tone, and I look forward to meeting with him soon,” Trump wrote. In his remarks to the crowd in Bogota, Petro also disclosed that he had spoken recently with Venezuela’s acting president, Delcy Rodriguez, whom he has invited to Colombia in the hope of advancing a tripartite dialogue that could address broader regional concerns. Petro’s comments came against the backdrop of intensely strained relations with Washington, including Trump’s earlier threats of military action against Colombia and accusations linking Petro to narcotrafficking, claims denied by the Colombian leader. The phone call and planned diplomatic engagement represent a notable shift in tone from recent days, as both leaders attempt to move past public spats and find areas of mutual interest amid broader regional turbulence, including the controversial US operation in Venezuela that resulted in the capture of Nicolas Maduro."