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The United States has levied restrictions on a network of four people and four firms charged of hiring Colombian mercenaries to fight for and train a Sudanese paramilitary group the United States claims of committing genocide.

Operation Structure

Announcing the sanctions on Tuesday, the American treasury stated the scheme was largely composed of Colombian nationals and companies.

Numerous of retired Colombian troops have allegedly journeyed to the conflict in Sudan to operate with the Sudanese RSF militia, a force implicated in terrible atrocities such as targeted ethnic killings and large-scale abductions.

Emergence of Involvement

The involvement of Colombian fighters initially emerged in 2024, following an investigation which revealed that more than 300 ex-military personnel had been contracted to fight – an discovery that resulted in an unusual statement of regret from Colombia’s foreign ministry.

Former Colombian military have widely regarded as among the world’s most sought-after mercenaries due to their vast combat experience gleaned from a long-running domestic war, familiarity with advanced weaponry, and elite military instruction.

Role in the Conflict

In Sudan, the contractors have reportedly trained minors, provided drone warfare training, and participated in direct battles. One source previously stated that instructing minors was "terrible and insane" but added that "regrettably, war operates that way".

Targeted Persons

Among those targeted was Álvaro Andrés Quijano Becerra, a individual with dual citizenship and retired Colombian military officer operating from the Dubai. The government alleged he played a pivotal function in recruiting and deploying mercenaries to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Oliveros, was similarly targeted.

Also on the sanctions list was Mateo Andrés Duque Botero, a dual Colombian-Spanish citizen who officials alleged managed a business linked to handling funds and payroll for the network. "Recently, American entities linked to Duque carried out multiple financial transactions, totalling millions of US dollars," the official announcement stated.

Individual Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the final person to be targeted, with the firm she operated alleged to have financial transactions linked to Duque and his businesses.

"Washington reiterates its demand for external actors to halt the flow of financial and military support to the warring parties," the department announced.

Analyst Commentary

An expert, from a conflict think tank, labeled the sanctions as a "very significant" step, noting that "calling out those who are doing the contracting is the proper strategy".

She added that, Colombia has enacted a statute endorsing the global treaty against mercenarism, designed to limit years of participation by its nationals in foreign conflicts and change its security approach.

A mercenary specialist, an expert on mercenaries, advised additional measures, stating that "sanctions are necessary but insufficient for addressing widespread use of contractors".

"It operates in the black market and operating from the Emirates, which is difficult to penalize," he stated. The UAE has been frequently alleged of supplying weapons to the paramilitary group, allegations it disputes. "Expect more Colombian mercenaries," the expert cautioned.