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The United States has enforced penalties on a group of four people and four firms charged of enlisting Colombian mercenaries to support and educate a armed faction in Sudan which the US alleges of acts of genocide.

Operation Structure

Announcing the sanctions on this week, the Treasury stated the network was largely composed of Colombian nationals and companies.

Numerous of ex-soldiers from Colombia have reportedly travelled to the Sudanese warzone to combat beside the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a force linked to severe violations including targeted ethnic killings and large-scale abductions.

Revelation of Role

The participation of ex-soldiers first came to light in 2024, following an investigation which disclosed that more than 300 former soldiers had been contracted to participate in the war – an event that prompted an unusual statement of regret from officials in Bogotá.

These South American veterans have long been considered as some of the most in-demand contractors globally due to their vast combat experience gleaned from decades of civil war, familiarity with Nato equipment, and elite military instruction.

Role in the Conflict

In the conflict, the mercenaries have reportedly trained child soldiers, taught fighters to pilot drones, and engaged in frontline combat. An individual involved was quoted as saying that working with child soldiers was "awful and crazy" but added that "sadly, that is the nature of conflict".

Targeted Persons

Among those targeted was Álvaro Andrés Quijano Becerra, a citizen of both Colombia and Italy and retired Colombian military officer based in the Dubai. The government said he had a pivotal function in recruiting and deploying mercenaries to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Oliveros, was also sanctioned.

Also on the restricted list was Mateo Andrés Duque Botero, a dual Colombian-Spanish citizen who the Treasury stated ran a firm accused of managing finances and payments for the recruitment operation. "In 2024 and 2025, US-based firms linked to Duque engaged in multiple financial transactions, amounting to millions," the government release noted.

Individual Mónica Muñoz was the other individual to be penalized, with the entity she oversaw alleged to have financial transactions linked to Duque and his operations.

"The US once more urges external actors to stop giving financial and military support to the warring parties," the Treasury stated.

Analyst Commentary

An expert, with the International Crisis Group, described the actions as a "highly important" step, saying that "identifying the recruiters is the proper strategy".

Furthermore, the Colombian government ratified a statute ratifying the International Convention Against the Recruitment and Use of Mercenaries, seeking to reduce years of participation by its nationals in foreign conflicts and transform its security approach.

A mercenary specialist, an expert on mercenaries, advised additional measures, saying that "restrictions are needed but not enough for dealing with rampant mercenarism".

"This is a shadow economy and centered in the Emirates, which is largely insulated from sanctions," he stated. The UAE has been widely accused of providing arms to the militia, allegations it disputes. "More contractors from Colombia are likely," the expert cautioned.