President Trump held his first face-to-face encounter with Colombian President Gustavo Petro on Tuesday.

Tensions have risen between the two leaders following months of verbal exchanges and the capture of Nicolás Maduro in Venezuela last month. Much of their discussion was anticipated to focus on Venezuela, including border issues, oil and energy resources, and guarantees for Colombia’s upcoming presidential elections.

Trump stated to reporters Monday that he and Petro would discuss narcotics, noting that “tremendous amounts of drugs come out of his country.” He expressed optimism about the meeting, saying it would be “good,” and added that Petro “has been very nice over the last month or two.”

“He was certainly critical before that but, somehow, after the Venezuelan raid, he became very nice. He changed his attitude very much,” Trump remarked.

Petro, a former Marxist revolutionary, has frequently clashed with Trump over Maduro’s capture, U.S. military strikes on alleged drug boats in the eastern Pacific, and the deportation of Colombians from the United States. Petro described the operation that led to Maduro’s capture as a violation of regional sovereignty and characterized it as a kidnapping. In response, Trump repeatedly threatened Petro, suggesting a U.S. military operation in Colombia “sounds good” and labeling him a “sick man” who should “watch his a–.”

“Today I begin my agenda in Washington as Head of State, determined to continue strengthening the relationship between two nations that share a common goal: the fight against drug trafficking, from an approach that prioritizes life and peace in our territories,” Petro stated.

Petro’s government announced on Monday it would review data on its reported successes in seizing cocaine and discuss efforts to assist coca farmers in transitioning to legal crops. Reports indicate that Petro presented gifts for Trump, including coffee and chocolate produced through crop-substitution initiatives.

U.S. officials revoked Petro’s visa and imposed sanctions on him, along with members of his family and government officials, following Petro’s criticism of Trump’s policies on Israel and Gaza and his denunciation of U.S. military operations targeting alleged drug traffickers as “murder.”