WASHINGTON — On the verge of a long-sought truce, Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos came to the White House on Thursday seeking more money and tweaks to US policy to help Colombia rebuild after half a century of guerrilla fighting.

The Colombian leader’s visit to Washington came against the backdrop of peace talks between his government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, that have entered the final stages. With a final deal expected as early as next month, the Colombian government is looking ahead to a decade-plus effort to recover parts of the country it had lost to the guerrillas during Latin America’s longest-running armed conflict.

Obama and Santos were all smiles but offered few words as they sat side by side in the Oval Office in a brief appearance before reporters.

Ahead of the meeting, White House officials said Obama planned to ask Congress for increased aid for Colombia in his budget proposal next week. The Obama administration hasn’t put a number on the request, but Colombia’s government has said spending will have to surge after a deal so that roads, schools and health care facilities can be rebuilt in blighted areas that had been ceded to the FARC.

Associated Press