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

Operation Structure

Announcing the sanctions on this week, the American treasury stated the operation was largely composed of Colombian nationals and companies.

Hundreds of ex-soldiers from Colombia have allegedly journeyed to Sudan to combat beside the Sudanese RSF militia, a group accused of severe violations encompassing ethnically targeted slaughter and large-scale abductions.

Revelation of Role

The role of these mercenaries initially emerged in 2024, following an investigation which found that more than 300 former soldiers had been hired to participate in the war – an revelation that led to an rare mea culpa from Colombia’s foreign ministry.

Former Colombian military have historically been seen as among the world’s most sought-after mercenaries due to their extensive battlefield experience acquired during years of internal conflict, knowledge of Western military gear, and high-level combat training.

Role in the Conflict

In Sudan, the mercenaries have reportedly trained child soldiers, instructed militiamen in drone operation, and engaged in frontline combat. A mercenary remarked that working with child soldiers was "horrific and irrational" but commented that "unfortunately that’s how war is".

Targeted Persons

Among those targeted was Álvaro Andrés Quijano Becerra, a individual with dual citizenship and former army officer based in the UAE. The US authorities accused him a key part in hiring and sending mercenaries to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was similarly targeted.

Also on the penalty list was Mateo Andrés Duque Botero, a individual with Colombian and Spanish citizenship who the Treasury stated oversaw a company linked to managing finances and payments for the recruitment operation. "Recently, companies in the United States associated with Duque engaged in multiple financial transactions, amounting to millions," the Treasury statement said.

Citizen of Colombia Mónica Muñoz was the fourth individual to be targeted, with the firm she operated alleged to have wire transfers linked to Duque and his businesses.

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

Reaction

An expert, senior analyst at the International Crisis Group, labeled the measures as a "very significant" step, stating that "targeting the enablers is the right way to go".

Furthermore, the Colombian government recently passed a statute endorsing the International Convention Against the Recruitment and Use of Mercenaries, aiming to curb decades of Colombian involvement in overseas wars and transform national security policy.

A mercenary specialist, an expert on mercenaries, urged more caution, stating that "restrictions are needed but not enough for dealing with the growing mercenary trade".

"It’s an illicit economy and centered in Dubai, which is difficult to penalize," he commented. The Emirati government has been widely accused of arming the RSF, claims it rejects. "More contractors from Colombia are likely," he advised.