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The US government has levied restrictions on a operation of four people and four firms alleged of enlisting former Colombian soldiers to support and educate a armed faction in Sudan that Washington accuses of acts of genocide.

Network Composition

Announcing the measures on this week, the Treasury stated the scheme was mostly comprised of Colombian nationals and companies.

Scores of ex-soldiers from Colombia have been recruited to go to the conflict in Sudan to operate with the Sudanese RSF militia, a group linked to horrific war crimes including ethnically targeted slaughter and widespread kidnappings.

Discovery of Participation

The role of these mercenaries was first uncovered in 2024, prompted by an report which disclosed that hundreds of retired troops had been contracted to engage in combat – an discovery that led to an unusual statement of regret from officials in Bogotá.

These South American veterans have widely regarded as some of the most in-demand contractors globally due to their vast combat experience gleaned from decades of civil war, knowledge of Western military gear, and high-level combat training.

Activities in Sudan

In Sudan, the contractors have allegedly instructed minors, provided drone warfare training, and engaged in frontline combat. One source was quoted as saying that instructing minors was "horrific and irrational" but commented that "unfortunately that’s how war is".

Targeted Persons

Among those penalized was Álvaro Andrés Quijano Becerra, a citizen of both Colombia and Italy and ex-soldier operating from the United Arab Emirates. The Treasury accused him a central role in hiring and sending ex-military personnel to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was similarly targeted.

Also on the penalty list was Mateo Duque Botero, a individual with Colombian and Spanish citizenship who officials alleged ran a firm linked to managing finances and payments for the scheme. "Recently, companies in the United States associated with Duque carried out several money transfers, amounting to millions," the Treasury statement noted.

Individual Mónica Muñoz was the fourth individual to be targeted, with the company she managed accused of money transfers linked to Duque and his businesses.

"The US once more urges outside forces to stop giving monetary and weaponry aid to the belligerents," the Treasury said in a statement.

Expert Analysis

Elizabeth Dickinson, senior analyst at the International Crisis Group, called the sanctions as a "highly important" step, stating that "targeting the enablers is the right way to go".

She added that, Colombia has enacted a statute approving the anti-mercenary convention, designed to limit years of participation by its nationals in foreign conflicts and transform its security approach.

Sean McFate, an expert on mercenaries, urged more caution, noting that "sanctions are necessary but insufficient for dealing with rampant mercenarism".

"It operates in the black market and centered in the Emirates, which is largely insulated from sanctions," he stated. The United Arab Emirates has been widely accused of providing arms to the militia, an accusation it has denied. "This trend will probably continue," McFate warned.