Washington, Jan. 8 -- US President Donald Trump and Colombian President Gustavo Petro held their first phone conversation following a recent war of words, at a time of growing strain between the United States and several Latin American countries. The exchange took place days after Trump accused the Colombian leader of being "sick" and involved in cocaine trafficking.

Trump said the two leaders discussed counter-narcotics policy and other areas of disagreement, and agreed to hold an in-person meeting in the future. He confirmed the call in a post on his social media platform, TruthSocial.

"It was a Great Honor to speak with the President of Colombia, Gustavo Petro, who called to explain the situation of drugs and other disagreements that...