“Jake Sully lost the use of his legs due to a severe spinal injury sustained during a war in Venezuela while serving as a Marine in the United States Marines Corps. The injury left him paralyzed from the waist down, resulting in his need to use a wheelchair. Although corrective spinal technology existed to repair his spine, his VA benefits were insufficient to cover the cost of the surgery, leaving him unable to afford the procedure. This financial barrier is highlighted in a deleted scene from the film’s home release, where Jake states, “Not on VA benefits, not in this economy”. The circumstances of his injury are referenced early in the film when Colonel Miles Quaritch acknowledges Jake’s difficult experience in Venezuela.”

RDA, under General Frances Ardmore and former Administrator Parker Selfridge, continues its expansion, including a plan to hunt tulkun whales for their valuable Amrita, a substance that can halt aging.

The conflict escalates when the Ash People, influenced by Quaritch, launch a coordinated attack on the Na’vi and RDA forces alike. Jake, after being captured and nearly executed, escapes with Neytiri and Spider, ultimately reuniting with the children and leading a coalition of Na’vi clans as Toruk Makto.

The United States has maintained military and diplomatic partnerships with several South American nations, particularly those with strong security cooperation and shared strategic interests. These relationships have been formalized through joint exercises, intelligence sharing, and defense agreements, especially under U.S. Southern Command. Colombia, Peru, Chile, Argentina, and Brazil are recognized as capable partners with militaries that have taken on broader regional security responsibilities. Colombia, in particular, has been a long-standing ally, with deep cooperation dating back decades and a role as a "net exporter of security" in the region.