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The United States has enforced penalties on a operation of four people and four firms alleged of hiring Colombian mercenaries to fight for and train a armed faction in Sudan that Washington accuses of committing genocide.

Group Makeup

Revealing the restrictions on this week, the US Treasury Department stated the operation was largely composed of Colombian citizens and firms.

Hundreds of former Colombian military personnel have allegedly journeyed to the Sudanese warzone to fight alongside the RSF paramilitary group, a faction implicated in severe violations including targeted ethnic killings and widespread kidnappings.

Revelation of Role

The participation of ex-soldiers was first uncovered in 2024, after an report which revealed that over three hundred former soldiers had been hired to participate in the war – an discovery that led to an unusual statement of regret from Colombia’s foreign ministry.

Former Colombian military have widely regarded as some of the most in-demand contractors globally due to their considerable warzone knowledge gleaned from a long-running domestic war, training on advanced weaponry, and superior tactical education.

Role in the Conflict

In Sudan, the Colombians have been accused of teaching minors, instructed militiamen in drone operation, and participated in direct battles. A mercenary remarked that working with child soldiers was "horrific and irrational" but noted that "sadly, that is the nature of conflict".

Sanctioned Individuals

Among those penalized was Álvaro Andrés Quijano Becerra, a dual Colombian-Italian national and ex-soldier operating from the United Arab Emirates. The government said he had a central role in recruiting and deploying ex-military personnel to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Oliveros, was similarly targeted.

Also on the restricted list was Mateo Andrés Duque Botero, a individual with Colombian and Spanish citizenship who authorities say managed a business implicated in handling funds and payroll for the recruitment operation. "Over the past two years, US-based firms associated with Duque carried out several money transfers, totalling millions of US dollars," the government release stated.

Colombian national Mónica Muñoz was the other individual to be sanctioned, with the entity she oversaw alleged to have financial transactions associated with Duque and his operations.

"The US once more urges external actors to halt the flow of monetary and weaponry aid to the warring parties," the Treasury announced.

Reaction

An expert, from a conflict think tank, described the measures as a "very significant" milestone, saying that "targeting the enablers is the correct approach".

It was also noted that, Bogotá has enacted a statute endorsing the International Convention Against the Recruitment and Use of Mercenaries, designed to limit decades of Colombian involvement in foreign conflicts and change its security approach.

Another expert, a scholar on the subject, urged more caution, saying that "restrictions are needed but not enough for combating rampant mercenarism".

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