President Donald Trump has forecast improved relations with Colombia under its new administration, a statement that coincides with the expansion of Britain’s trade office in Bogotá. The remarks, made during a brief exchange with reporters at the White House, are the first direct indication of a policy shift towards Latin America’s third-largest economy since the election of President Gustavo Petro.
“I think we’re going to have a very good relationship with Colombia,” Trump said. “They have a new president, and I believe he wants to work with us.” The comment marks a departure from his previous criticism of Petro, a former guerrilla and leftist politician whom Trump had described as a “socialist” during the campaign.
The British government, meanwhile, has quietly expanded its commercial footprint in the Andean nation. The Department for Business and Trade confirmed this week the opening of a dedicated trade office in Bogotá, staffed by six additional officers focused on financial services, infrastructure, and green energy. The move is part of a broader push to strengthen economic ties with Latin America post-Brexit.
“Colombia represents a significant opportunity for British firms in sectors such as clean technology, education, and professional services,” said a spokesman for the British Embassy in Bogotá. “This investment underscores our commitment to deepening bilateral trade and investment.”
Analysts view the twin developments as part of a realignment of international engagement with Colombia, a country long seen as the United States’ most reliable ally in the region. Under Petro, Colombia has pursued a more independent foreign policy, courting closer ties with China and seeking a negotiated peace with the ELN guerrilla group.
“What we are seeing is a pragmatic adjustment by both Washington and London,” said Dr. Elena Vargas, a Latin America analyst at the Royal United Services Institute. “Colombia remains strategically important for energy security and regional stability. Despite ideological differences, the economic and security imperatives are too strong to ignore.”
The US-Colombia relationship has weathered several storms, including disputes over drug policy and oil prices. However, Trump’s remarks suggest a willingness to reset the dialogue. The president did not specify any concrete steps, but aides indicated that a meeting between Trump and Petro could be arranged in the coming months.
British exports to Colombia reached £1.2 billion in 2023, driven largely by machinery, chemicals, and financial services. The new trade office is expected to boost that figure by 15 per cent over three years, according to official estimates.
“This is not just about trade; it is about soft power,” said Sir Michael Davenport, a former British ambassador to Colombia. “By strengthening our presence here, we signal that Britain is a reliable partner in a region where other powers are vying for influence.”
The expansion comes despite ongoing security concerns in Colombia, where armed groups continue to operate in rural areas. The British office will maintain a secure compound in the north of Bogotá, with enhanced protection from Colombian police.
For the Trump administration, warmer ties with Colombia could provide a counterbalance to the growing influence of China and Russia in the region. Petro has visited Beijing twice since taking office, signing agreements on infrastructure and technology transfers.
“President Petro is a realist,” said Carlos Lopez, a political analyst at the University of the Andes in Bogotá. “He knows that diversifying Colombia’s partnerships is in the national interest, but he also understands that the US remains the most important market and security partner.”
The dual announcements have been welcomed by business leaders in both countries. The Colombian-American Chamber of Commerce described Trump’s statement as a “positive signal” while the British Chamber of Commerce in Colombia said the trade office was “long overdue.”
Neither the White House nor the Colombian presidential office has provided further details on the timing or agenda of a potential summit. However, the signals from Washington and London suggest a coordinated effort to reinscribe Colombia at the heart of Western hemispheric strategy.
