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The Washington has levied restrictions on a group of several persons and entities alleged of recruiting former Colombian soldiers to support and educate a militia force in Sudan that Washington accuses of genocidal acts.

Network Composition

Revealing the measures on Tuesday, the American treasury stated the operation was largely composed of individuals and businesses from Colombia.

Numerous of ex-soldiers from Colombia have reportedly travelled to the conflict in Sudan to operate with the RSF paramilitary group, a faction accused of terrible atrocities encompassing targeted ethnic killings and large-scale abductions.

Revelation of Role

The role of these mercenaries first came to light in 2024, after an investigation which found that more than 300 ex-military personnel had been recruited to engage in combat – an revelation that resulted in an unprecedented apology from the Colombian government.

These South American veterans have long been considered as some of the most in-demand contractors globally due to their considerable warzone knowledge gleaned from a long-running domestic war, knowledge of Nato equipment, and high-level combat training.

Reported Actions

In Sudan, the mercenaries have reportedly trained minors, instructed militiamen in drone operation, and engaged in frontline combat. A mercenary previously stated that working with child soldiers was "terrible and insane" but added that "regrettably, war operates that way".

Sanctioned Individuals

Among those sanctioned was Álvaro Andrés Quijano Becerra, a dual Colombian-Italian national and former army officer based in the UAE. The US authorities accused him a central role in enlisting and transporting ex-military personnel to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Oliveros, was similarly targeted.

Also on the restricted list was Duque Botero, a dual national who the Treasury stated managed a business implicated in managing finances and payments for the recruitment operation. "Over the past two years, American entities connected to Duque carried out several money transfers, worth millions," the Treasury statement noted.

Individual Mónica Muñoz was the fourth individual to be targeted, with the firm she operated said to have conducted wire transfers linked to Duque and his businesses.

"The US once more urges outside forces to cease providing funding and arms to the warring parties," the agency said in a statement.

Reaction

Elizabeth Dickinson, with the International Crisis Group, described the sanctions as a "highly important" development, saying that "targeting the enablers is the proper strategy".

She added that, Colombia ratified a piece of legislation approving the International Convention Against the Recruitment and Use of Mercenaries, designed to limit years of participation by its nationals in overseas wars and reshape national security policy.

Sean McFate, a scholar on the subject, advised additional measures, stating that "penalties are required yet incomplete for combating widespread use of contractors".

"It operates in the black market and operating from the Emirates, which is relatively sanction-proof," he said. The UAE has been frequently alleged of arming the RSF, allegations it disputes. "Expect more Colombian mercenaries," the expert cautioned.