US and Colombia Announce 'Plan Patriota 2.0' Security Cooperation Strategy

US Deputy Assistant Secretary of War for the Americas Joseph M. Humire and Colombia's incoming Defense Minister, retired Major General Jorge Eduardo Mora López, announced 'Plan Patriota 2.0' — a bilateral strategy to renew and expand US-Colombia military and counter-narcotics cooperation ahead of the August 7 change of government. Discussed elements include intelligence sharing, extradition cooperation, helicopters and counter-drone equipment, a regional training center in Colombia, and a possible return to aerial coca spraying. The plan follows a July Pentagon meeting between Humire and Mora and reflects President-elect Abelardo de la Espriella's platform of a sustained military offensive against armed groups, breaking from Petro's negotiation-based 'Total Peace' approach. As of the announcement, no formal treaty or basing agreement had been signed.