Reportedly, Donald Trump had a secret meeting with two retired Colombian ex-Presidents. A report by the Miami Herald claimed that last week U.S. President Trump met secretly with Andrés Pastrana and Álvaro Uribe. It was also reported by the news outlet that both men are against the current peace deal involving the Colombian government and the controversial FARC rebel group.
The meeting was purportedly arranged by Marco Rubio according to the Colombian news media that claimed that the Florida Senator helped with the arrangement of the private event.
However, Rubio denied his involvement in the meeting that was held at the Mar-a-Lago
President Trump met with Andrés Pastrana and Álvaro Uribe
Rubio, in his defense, stated that he met many foreign ministers during his travels to other countries and doesn’t understand why there is a big deal about the private event. He also said ex-president Uribe now works as a senator in the Colombian government. Senator Rubio declared that he had no idea that the ex-Colombian presidents were in Florida, adding that the news media would have to ask the men why they met secretly with the Republican President.
However, an official from the White House issued a report stating that there was no discussion of a peace deal between Trump and the men.
The spokesperson later stated that the meeting between the President and the ex-leaders was a chance meeting. According to NBC News, a senior official said a member of the Mar-a-Largo club invited the former presidents.
The White House and Rubio deny secret meeting
Purportedly, Donald Trump bumped into the men while he was at the renowned facility.
The senior administration official added that while others were claiming that there was a private meeting, the exchange between the three men lasted for just a few minutes then they shook hands and went about their businesses.
Marco Rubio, R-Fla., who is a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee as well as the Intelligence Committee steadfastly denied the story reported by several news outlets.
On Sunday while he was on "Meet The Press" he told the host that if people want to know if he was responsible for setting up the secret meeting, they should confer with the Donald Trump White House as well as the Colombian ex-presidents.