US-Colombia joint strike kills seven ELN guerrillas including high-value targets Ivan Mordisco, Chiquito Malo, and ELN leader Pablito near the Venezuelan border, marking a major escalation under the Petro-Trump security pact.
Venezuela remains in political limbo one month after US military operation removed Maduro — acting President Delcy Rodriguez pushes amnesty law through National Assembly while thousands march demanding Maduro's release.
Mexico deploys 1,190 additional troops including Special Forces and armed helicopters after murder of Education Minister Mario Delgado's relatives in Colima; extortion surges 23% despite 43% homicide decline in Michoacan.
Ecuador extends 60-day state of emergency across nine provinces as gang violence fatalities rise 42% year-over-year — on pace for highest homicide rate in Latin America for third consecutive year.
Guatemala prison riots: coordinated gang takeover of three prisons triggers armed attacks on police across Guatemala City; US Embassy issues Level 3 travel advisory urging Americans to maintain low profile.
Colombia election security at risk as FARC dissident leader Mordisco threatens to disrupt May presidential vote — one-third of national territory assessed as vulnerable to electoral violence.
Major security shift as Petro aligns with US on targeting narco bosses. Military killed seven ELN/FARC fighters in Catatumbo operations, but ELN now using civilian homes as shields. Election security is deteriorating with over 300 municipalities at risk of political violence ahead of May vote.
Unstable transition continues under acting President Rodriguez following US capture of Maduro in January. Amnesty law advancing through National Assembly with cross-party support, over 800 political prisoners released. However, political analysts assess the real transition has not yet begun — uncertainty and coercion define the current environment.
High-profile violence continues with murder of cabinet minister's relatives and 10 mine workers still missing in Sinaloa. Government maintaining pressure with troop deployments and 16 organized crime arrests, but extortion remains the top security challenge with a 23% increase despite other gains.
President Noboa's Phoenix Plan security response failing to contain gang violence despite new intelligence units and tactical deployments. State of emergency extended as 71% of population was exposed to violence in 2025. Without establishing prison control or community presence, violence projected to continue rising and spreading to new provinces.
Coordinated prison riots by Barrio 18 and MS-13 triggered armed attacks on police across the capital. US Embassy security alert in effect advising increased caution. Regional instability compounded by US deportation flights resuming through Guantanamo Bay.
The US-Colombia strike on ELN and FARC targets represents a fundamental realignment of regional security dynamics — Petro's pivot from peace negotiations to kinetic operations will likely trigger retaliatory violence ahead of May elections. Combined with Venezuela's fragile post-Maduro transition and Ecuador's escalating gang war, the northern Andes corridor is entering its most volatile phase since 2024. Operators should anticipate disrupted ground transportation routes in Catatumbo and heightened targeting of foreign nationals in Ecuador's coastal provinces.
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