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The Washington has enforced penalties on a group of several persons and entities alleged of enlisting Colombian mercenaries to support and educate a armed faction in Sudan which the US alleges of committing genocide.

Network Composition

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

Hundreds of former Colombian military personnel have allegedly journeyed to Sudan to fight alongside the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a force linked to horrific war crimes such as massacres based on ethnicity and large-scale abductions.

Emergence of Involvement

The participation of ex-soldiers first came to light last year, after an inquiry which found that over three hundred ex-military personnel had been hired to engage in combat – an event that led to an unusual statement of regret from the Colombian government.

These South American veterans have widely regarded as highly prized fighters in conflict zones due to their extensive battlefield experience resulting from a long-running domestic war, familiarity with Nato equipment, and elite military instruction.

Activities in Sudan

In Sudan, the contractors have been accused of teaching minors, instructed militiamen in drone operation, and engaged in frontline combat. One source previously stated that instructing minors was "terrible and insane" but added that "unfortunately that’s how war is".

Sanctioned Individuals

Among those targeted was Álvaro Andrés Quijano Becerra, a citizen of both Colombia and Italy and retired Colombian military officer located in the UAE. The government accused him a key part in enlisting and transporting ex-military personnel to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Oliveros, was similarly targeted.

Also on the penalty list was Duque Botero, a dual Colombian-Spanish citizen who the Treasury stated managed a business accused of managing finances and payments for the scheme. "In 2024 and 2025, US-based firms associated with Duque conducted multiple financial transactions, worth millions," the Treasury statement stated.

Colombian national Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the other individual to be sanctioned, with the entity she oversaw accused of money transfers connected to Duque and his businesses.

"The US once more urges outside forces to cease providing funding and arms to the combatants," the Treasury stated.

Expert Analysis

A senior analyst, from a conflict think tank, called the measures as a "major" milestone, stating that "targeting the enablers is the correct approach".

Furthermore, Colombia has enacted a piece of legislation ratifying the International Convention Against the Recruitment and Use of Mercenaries, designed to limit years of participation by its nationals in foreign conflicts and transform domestic defense strategy.

A mercenary specialist, a scholar on the subject, advised additional measures, noting that "restrictions are needed but not enough for addressing rampant mercenarism".

"It’s an illicit economy and based out of Dubai, which is difficult to penalize," he commented. The UAE has been widely accused of arming the RSF, an accusation it has denied. "More contractors from Colombia are likely," the expert cautioned.