Trump agrees to meet Colombian president after exchange of public threats

Driving the news: Earlier this week during a press gaggle, Trump said an operation to depose Petro, whom he accused of involvement in cocaine trafficking, "sounds good to me." A day earlier, Trump said the leftist leader needed to "watch his ass."

• Petro vehemently denied the drug allegations and warned that arresting him would "unleash the people's jaguar." Petro said he was prepared to take up arms himself, and on Monday declared: "Come and get me."

Flashback: In October the Treasury Department imposed sanctions against Petro, his wife and son, as well as the country's interior minister. The sanctions allege Petro has ties to the trade in illicit drugs.

What they're saying: Trump said Wednesday evening Petro called him "to explain the situation of drugs and other disagreements" that the pair has had.

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

The other side: Petro told supporters in Bogota on Wednesday that he initiated the call that went on for more than an hour in order to decrease tensions with the U.S. and restore dialogue.

• "In the conversation ... I made a request: that direct communications between the foreign ministries and the presidents be reestablished. If there is no dialogue, there will be war," Petro said, noting the call was respectful.
• Petro said he explained to Trump what his government has been doing against drug trafficking and presented him with data. He noted that he discussed with Trump the situation in Venezuela.

Go deeper: Colombian president's war of words with Trump escalates