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The US government has levied restrictions on a operation of four people and four firms charged of recruiting former Colombian soldiers to fight for and train a armed faction in Sudan that Washington accuses of acts of genocide.

Network Composition

Disclosing the restrictions on Tuesday, the Treasury stated the network was largely composed of Colombian nationals and companies.

Numerous of former Colombian military personnel have been recruited to go to Sudan to operate with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a faction accused of terrible atrocities such as ethnically targeted slaughter and large-scale abductions.

Revelation of Role

The participation of ex-soldiers was first uncovered in 2024, after an report which found that over three hundred former soldiers had been hired to engage in combat – an revelation that prompted an unusual statement of regret from Colombia’s foreign ministry.

These South American veterans have historically been seen as some of the most in-demand contractors globally due to their considerable warzone knowledge gleaned from a long-running domestic war, familiarity with Western military gear, and superior tactical education.

Activities in Sudan

In the Sudanese theater, the mercenaries have been accused of teaching minors, taught fighters to pilot drones, and participated in direct battles. An individual involved previously stated that instructing minors was "awful and crazy" but commented that "regrettably, war operates that way".

Sanctioned Individuals

Among those penalized was Álvaro Andrés Quijano Becerra, a citizen of both Colombia and Italy and retired Colombian military officer based in the UAE. The government accused him a key part in recruiting and deploying mercenaries to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Oliveros, was penalized as well.

Also on the sanctions list was Mateo Duque Botero, a dual national who officials alleged oversaw a company linked to handling funds and payroll for the recruitment operation. "Over the past two years, companies in the United States associated with Duque engaged in multiple financial transactions, amounting to millions," the official announcement stated.

Citizen of Colombia Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the fourth individual to be sanctioned, with the firm she operated alleged to have money transfers connected to Duque and his companies.

"The United States again calls on external actors to cease providing monetary and weaponry aid to the belligerents," the Treasury stated.

Reaction

Elizabeth Dickinson, senior analyst at the International Crisis Group, labeled the sanctions as a "very significant" development, stating that "targeting the enablers is the correct approach".

Furthermore, Colombia ratified a law approving the International Convention Against the Recruitment and Use of Mercenaries, seeking to reduce years of participation by its nationals in international fights and transform national security policy.

Another expert, an expert on mercenaries, urged more caution, noting that "restrictions are needed but not enough for combating the growing mercenary trade".

"It operates in the black market and operating from Dubai, which is difficult to penalize," he said. The Emirati government has been widely accused of supplying weapons to the paramilitary group, claims it rejects. "Expect more Colombian mercenaries," McFate warned.