Biden Bilateral Meeting With Colombian President Petro Underway Shortly

US President Joe Biden is shortly due to meet with leftist Colombian President Gustavo Petro at the White House.

• White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said that the leaders are expected to discuss "economic and security cooperation as well as efforts to combat climate change, address migration and counter drug trafficking."
• The two are also expected to discuss a plan to ease sanctions on Venezuela conditioned upon a move from President Nicolás Maduro towards freer elections.
• Washington Post: "The visit itself is a significant sign of potential cooperation between the administration and Petro, and we’ll be watching for signs of where that cooperation may be most immediate. Combating the drug trade? Climate change? Venezuela?"
• Foreign Policy writes that Petro has, "brought about major shifts in Colombia’s approach to Venezuela and counternarcotics policy, upending long-standing pillars of this strategic alliance.
• "Yet in other areas, Petro presents opportunities for even closer ties, particularly on climate and the energy transition, both priorities for the Biden administration. Should the United States increase its support for Colombia to meet its environmental goals, it would compensate for disagreements elsewhere..."