# [7D] U.S.–Colombia Joint Operations to Quietly Expand from Cartel Targets to Select Insurgent Groups

*Issued Thursday, August 13, 2026 at 7:10 AM UTC — Hamer Intelligence Services Desk*

**Issued**: 2026-08-13T07:10:39.589Z (3h ago)
**Expires**: 2026-08-20T07:10:39.589Z (7d from now)
**Category**: MILITARY | **Confidence**: 65% | **Impact**: HIGH
**Risk Direction**: escalatory
**Affected Regions**: Colombia – Valle del Cauca, Colombia – Huila and southern departments, U.S. Southern Command AOR
**Affected Assets**: Oil and gas pipelines in Colombia, Transport infrastructure and trucking, Security services and defense contractors, Coca cultivation and cocaine trafficking routes
**Permalink**: https://hamerintel.com/data/forecasts/20176.md
**Source**: https://hamerintel.com/forecasts

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## Prediction

Within seven days, U.S.-assisted operations in Colombia are likely to extend beyond drug cartels to include select FARC dissident and ELN elements, framed as dual-use anti-cartel and anti-terror missions. The killing of 'Max Max' and recent lethal attacks on Colombian soldiers will be used to justify broader targeting, enabling deeper U.S. ISR and advisory presence in contested rural zones. This expansion risks civilian harm, local backlash, and retaliatory attacks on infrastructure, including pipelines and highways. Confirmation would be announcements of joint successes against named insurgent fronts or leaked reports of U.S. enablers in such operations; disconfirmation would be firm, verifiable limits restricting U.S. activity strictly to cartel-linked targets.

## Drivers

- Authorization for U.S. combat operations in Colombia
- Killing of FARC dissident explosives expert 'Max Max'
- Explosive attacks killing Colombian soldiers in Huila
- Emerging trend of securitized governance and U.S.-aligned pivot post-quake