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The US government has imposed sanctions on a operation of four individuals and four companies accused of hiring former Colombian soldiers to support and educate a armed faction in Sudan that Washington accuses of genocidal acts.

Network Composition

Announcing the restrictions on Tuesday, the US Treasury Department stated the scheme was mostly comprised of Colombian citizens and firms.

Hundreds of former Colombian military personnel have reportedly travelled to the Sudanese warzone to operate with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a group accused of horrific war crimes such as targeted ethnic killings and mass abductions.

Discovery of Participation

The role of these mercenaries initially emerged the previous year, prompted by an report which found that hundreds of retired troops had been contracted to participate in the war – an event that led to 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 advanced weaponry, and superior tactical education.

Role in the Conflict

In the conflict, the contractors have allegedly instructed child soldiers, provided drone warfare training, and participated in direct battles. One source remarked that instructing minors was "terrible and insane" but commented that "sadly, that is the nature of conflict".

Named Entities

Among those targeted was Álvaro Andrés Quijano Becerra, a dual Colombian-Italian national and retired Colombian military officer operating from the Dubai. The US authorities alleged he played a key part in recruiting and deploying mercenaries to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Oliveros, was also sanctioned.

Also on the sanctions list was Duque Botero, a dual Colombian-Spanish citizen who officials alleged managed a business linked to handling funds and payroll for the network. "In 2024 and 2025, companies in the United States linked to Duque engaged in numerous wire transfers, amounting to millions," the government release noted.

Citizen of Colombia Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the other individual to be targeted, with the entity she oversaw alleged to have wire transfers connected to Duque and his operations.

"Washington reiterates its demand for foreign parties to cease providing funding and arms to the combatants," the department said in a statement.

Reaction

An expert, senior analyst at the International Crisis Group, called the actions as a "highly important" development, noting that "targeting the enablers is the proper strategy".

She added that, Bogotá ratified a piece of legislation ratifying the global treaty against mercenarism, seeking to reduce decades of Colombian involvement in overseas wars and transform domestic defense strategy.

Sean McFate, an expert on mercenaries, advised additional measures, noting that "restrictions are needed but not enough for addressing widespread use of contractors".

"It’s an illicit economy and based out of the UAE, which is relatively sanction-proof," he stated. The Emirati government has been frequently alleged of supplying weapons to the paramilitary group, allegations it disputes. "This trend will probably continue," the expert cautioned.