U.S. President Donald Trump and Colombian President Gustavo Petro said on Tuesday that they had a friendly meeting at the White House, marking their first face-to-face encounter after months of exchanging sharp remarks. The meeting went smoothly despite concerns from analysts and advisers who doubted whether the two leaders would get along, as they hold very different political ideologies and had openly criticised each other in the past.

Petro arrived at the White House without major public attention, unlike some other foreign leaders. No media were allowed inside the closed-door meeting, which lasted around two hours. After the meeting, both leaders spoke separately and described the encounter in positive terms. However, neither clearly confirmed whether any firm agreements were reached.

When asked by reporters if they had reached an agreement to counter narcotics flows coming from Colombia, Trump said progress was being made.

“Yeah, we did,” Trump said. “We worked on it, and we got along very well. He and I weren't exactly the best of friends, but I wasn't insulted because I never met him. I didn't know him at all.”

After the meeting, Petro posted a photo on X showing a handwritten note from Trump. The note read: “Gustavo - A great honor - I love Colombia.” The post also included a photograph of Trump and Petro shaking hands and smiling.

In an interview with Colombian radio station Caracol, Petro said he did not find the differences he expected during the meeting.

“What I sensed or saw through the press and social networks that looked like contradictions with my ideas - I didn't see them there. I think they were more with other officials than with him,” Petro said.

Petro said he requested Trump’s support in capturing major drug traffickers living outside Colombia. He also said he asked the U.S. president to help resolve a diplomatic dispute between Colombia and Ecuador. Ecuador’s president, Daniel Noboa, is considered a strong ally of Trump. Petro said Trump agreed to call Noboa.

The relationship between Trump and Petro has been inconsistent in recent months. Trump has spoken about wanting American dominance across Latin America, while Petro is a former anti-imperialist guerrilla who became Colombia’s president in 2022.

In October, Trump referred to Petro as an “illegal drug leader,” though he provided no evidence. In January, Trump even suggested possible military action against Colombia, accusing the country of not controlling the narcotics trade.

Petro has also been strongly critical of Trump. He has said that the Trump administration’s strikes on alleged drug boats are war crimes. He also described the U.S. operation that deposed Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro as a “kidnapping.”

Despite the tension, the two leaders had a phone call in January that both described positively. That unexpected improvement in relations led to Petro receiving an invitation to Washington. Trump told reporters on Monday that Petro’s tone had changed recently, suggesting he had become more cooperative after the Maduro raid.

Meetings with Trump can often be difficult for foreign leaders, and many have chosen flattery to avoid conflict. While it was unclear if Petro would do the same, he eventually praised Trump’s changes to the Oval Office. Petro complimented Trump’s renovation style, which included adding large amounts of gold leaf.

“It was more beautiful this time. I told him he was a good designer,” Petro said. “The design was spectacular.”

A White House photo released after the meeting showed a Petro aide holding a pamphlet that read: “COLOMBIA: America's #1 Ally against Narcoterrorists.”

Trump also told reporters that the two leaders were working on sanctions, but he did not provide details. Petro is currently under U.S. sanctions, which the Trump administration issued in October. The sanctions were linked to alleged but unproven ties to the drug trade, allegations that Petro has denied.

Analysts warned that if the two leaders failed to build a lasting understanding, it could have major effects on regional security. Colombia is the world’s largest producer of coca, the main ingredient used in cocaine. Several organisations labelled as terrorist groups by the U.S. are also active in Colombia.

Even so, Colombia has long been one of Washington’s strongest allies in the region and has worked closely with multiple U.S. administrations to reduce drug flows northward.

Under Petro’s leadership, coca production in Colombia has increased, though the exact figures remain disputed. Bogota has argued that while the government has moved away from forced eradication, which can harm subsistence farmers, it has increased seizures and improved interdiction methods.

Last week, Petro urged Colombian migrants to return from Chile, Argentina, and the United States so they would not be treated like “slaves.” He also said it is better to live in Havana than in Miami, describing Miami as traffic-clogged and cultureless.