Venezuela and Colombia Cancel Presidential Meeting Citing ‘Force Majeure’

CARACAS, Venezuela — The governments of Venezuela and Colombia announced the cancellation of a planned meeting between their presidents on Thursday, March 13, 2026, at their shared border. The meeting was scheduled for Friday, March 14, 2026.

The talks were to be Venezuelan acting President Delcy Rodríguez’s first official meeting with a Latin American leader since her swearing-in in January following a U.S. Military operation to capture then-President Nicolás Maduro according to the Associated Press. Rodríguez and Colombian President Gustavo Petro were expected to discuss shared interests in border security, due to the presence of illegal armed groups associated with drug trafficking, and the potential for Colombia to import Venezuelan natural gas.

In a joint statement released by Venezuela’s Foreign Affairs Ministry, the governments attributed the cancellation to “force majeure,” without providing further explanation, and stated the meeting would be rescheduled as reported by Reuters.

The statement added that Petro reaffirmed his invitation to Rodríguez for a presidential meeting and indicated that both governments remain committed “to strengthening trust, cooperation and bilateral relations.”

Shortly before Thursday’s announcement, Petro’s office said the Colombian leader had a phone call with U.S. President Donald Trump, during which he wished him “success” in his meeting with Rodríguez as reported by the Associated Press.

The cancellation follows recent legislative elections in Colombia on March 8, 2026 according to the Associated Press.