Colombian President Gustavo Petro and his U.S. counterpart Donald Trump agreed on “joint actions” to combat the National Liberation Army (ELN) guerrilla group operating along the Colombia–Venezuela border, Colombia’s Interior Minister Armando Benedetti said on Thursday.

The announcement came after a period of heightened diplomatic tension triggered by recent U.S. airstrikes in Venezuela, the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, and threats of possible U.S. military action in Colombia. The phone call Wednesday evening was the first direct conversation between Petro and Trump since both leaders took office, and it helped ease the strained relationship.

During the call, both presidents committed to carry out joint efforts against the ELN, a guerrilla group that has repeatedly attacked Colombian security forces and is accused of kidnapping soldiers. In December, the ELN declared a “armed strike,” confining civilians in areas under its control in response to perceived threats of U.S. intervention.

According to Benedetti, Petro welcomed Trump’s invitation to meet in Washington and asked for U.S. support to “strike hard” against ELN positions along the porous border with Venezuela, where guerrillas often flee after clashes with Colombian forces.

The border region is a longstanding flashpoint, where armed groups, drug traffickers and illegal mining networks compete for control. Previous attempts by Petro’s government to negotiate peace with the ELN have stalled after a major offensive in Catatumbo that left hundreds dead and displaced thousands.

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Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva vetoed on Thursday a bill that would have significantly reduced the prison sentence of his far-right predecessor, Jair Bolsonaro, who is currently serving time for attempting a coup d’état.

Despite the veto, the conservative-majority Congress retains the power to override the decision through a vote.

In September, following a landmark trial, Brazil’s Supreme Court sentenced Bolsonaro to 27 years in prison after finding him guilty of conspiring to remain in power in an “authoritarian” manner following his defeat to Lula in the 2022 presidential election.

The 70-year-old former president has been incarcerated in a Brasília prison since late November. Earlier this month, the Supreme Court rejected a request for house arrest on health grounds.

Under the current legal framework, Bolsonaro would be required to serve approximately eight years before becoming eligible for sentence leniency. However, a bill passed by Congress in December could have reduced that period to just over two years, prompting Lula’s veto.

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In this context, the Trump administration has openly stated that the United States will dictate decisions to Venezuela’s interim government led by Delcy Rodríguez and will control the country’s oil sales indefinitely, according to statements from the White House. Karoline Leavitt, the White House press secretary, said at a press briefing that “we obviously have the maximum capacity to pressure the interim authorities of Venezuela at this time,” highlighting U.S. influence over Caracas.

On January 3, U.S. forces carried out a military strike in Venezuela aimed at overthrowing President Nicolás Maduro; the operation resulted in his capture and the apprehension of his wife, Cilia Flores, who were subsequently taken to New York, where they now face federal narcotics-related charges. Venezuelan authorities reported that the attack left at least 100 people dead, and both Maduro and Flores were injured during the assault.

When asked by The New York Times how long the United States plans to maintain control over Venezuela, President Donald Trump responded: “Only time will tell.” Pressed on whether that meant three months, six months, or a year, Trump replied, “I’d say much longer,” indicating that U.S. involvement could extend well beyond initial expectations.

The administration’s actions have heightened regional and global tensions, with critics questioning the legality and long-term implications of a military intervention and direct influence over Venezuelan governance and natural resources.