It is unusual for heads of state to request interviews with journalists. When such requests occur, reporters make significant efforts to secure access, particularly when the leader is facing heightened tensions with a global power like the United States. On January 5th, Colombian President Gustavo Petro contacted Max Bearak and Annie Correal of The New York Times requesting an interview, but also subjected them to a lengthy and frustrating delay.
A Lengthy Wait in Cartagena
The journalists traveled to Cartagena to meet with President Petro, who had recently engaged in public verbal clashes with Donald Trump and, just two days prior, saw the U.S. military intervene in Caracas to apprehend Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. Bearak and Correal prepared for the interview in a balcony overlooking a dining area. According to their account in The New York Times, “Under swaying coconut trees, we languished for eight hours as the sun crossed the sky and Petro delayed the interview again and again. Sweat stained our shirts. While we waited, we checked our phones.”
The wait extended overnight. The journalists were informed the delay was due to an unidentified foreign vessel in Colombian waters, requiring Petro’s attention. This explanation was later revealed to be a rumor, but, as the reporters noted, it underscored a sense of unease and pressure surrounding the President.
An Interview Marked by Discomfort
When the interview finally took place the following day, the journalists found Petro “stunned, as if he hadn’t slept all night.” They observed a pattern of behavior familiar to many Colombians: “In our interview, his ideas were coherent but rambling. He spoke for nearly two and a half hours, most of which he devoted to lessons on Colombian history, from centuries-old slave rebellions to the ‘invasion’ of Colombia by the United States to annex Panama and build the canal.”
Adding to the discomfort, Petro requested the air conditioning be turned off due to a recurring sore throat. The journalists continued to “languish” as aides complied with the President’s request.
Acknowledging Risk and a Potential Shift
The interview occurred against a backdrop of tension with the U.S. and the recent capture of Maduro. Petro acknowledged the risks facing him and Colombia, stating, “The risk exists,” and expressing concern about being a potential target of the U.S. military, leading him to plan to sleep at the presidential palace in Bogotá alongside the sword of Simón Bolívar. However, the situation shifted quickly with a subsequent phone call between Petro and Trump, and an invitation for Petro to visit the White House.
The detailed account of the interview process provided by The New York Times journalists offers insight into President Petro’s approach and the challenges of securing access, adding another layer to his public image.
Petro Addresses Ecuador-U.S. Tensions
President Petro also led a ceremony in Puerto Asís, Putumayo, where weapons were destroyed, representing progress toward total peace negotiations with the Coordinadora Nacional Ejército Bolivariano (CNEB) dissident group.
Frequently Asked Questions
What prompted President Petro to seek an interview with The New York Times?
President Petro contacted the journalists directly, following a period of public disagreements with Donald Trump and shortly after the U.S. military’s intervention in Caracas.
How long did the journalists wait to conduct the interview?
The journalists waited for eight hours on the first day and the interview was then postponed until the following day.
What was President Petro’s demeanor during the interview?
The journalists described President Petro as “stunned, as if he hadn’t slept all night,” and noted his ideas were “coherent but rambling.”
Given the unusual circumstances surrounding this interview, what does it suggest about the current state of relations between Colombia and the United States?
