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The United States has imposed sanctions on a network of four individuals and four companies alleged of hiring former Colombian soldiers to fight for and train a Sudanese paramilitary group which the US alleges of committing genocide.

Operation Structure

Announcing the measures on Tuesday, the Treasury stated the scheme was largely composed of Colombian citizens and firms.

Hundreds of former Colombian military personnel have been recruited to go to the Sudanese warzone to operate with the Sudanese RSF militia, a force accused of terrible atrocities including massacres based on ethnicity and mass abductions.

Discovery of Participation

The role of these mercenaries first came to light in 2024, after an investigation which found that hundreds of retired troops had been hired to engage in combat – an revelation that prompted an unusual statement of regret from officials in Bogotá.

These South American veterans have widely regarded as highly prized fighters in conflict zones due to their vast combat experience gleaned from years of internal conflict, knowledge of Nato equipment, and superior tactical education.

Activities in Sudan

In the conflict, the contractors have allegedly instructed minors, taught fighters to pilot drones, and engaged in frontline combat. One source was quoted as saying that instructing minors was "terrible and insane" but noted that "unfortunately that’s how war is".

Named Entities

Among those penalized was Álvaro Andrés Quijano Becerra, a dual Colombian-Italian national and retired Colombian military officer based in the United Arab Emirates. The US authorities said he had a central role in recruiting and deploying mercenaries to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was similarly targeted.

Also on the sanctions list was Duque Botero, a dual national who authorities say ran a firm accused of managing finances and payments for the network. "Recently, American entities associated with Duque conducted multiple financial transactions, worth millions," the government release noted.

Colombian national Mónica Muñoz was the final person to be penalized, with the entity she oversaw alleged to have wire transfers linked to Duque and his companies.

"Washington reiterates its demand for foreign parties to stop giving monetary and weaponry aid to the warring parties," the agency announced.

Expert Analysis

A senior analyst, from a conflict think tank, described the sanctions as a "major" milestone, noting that "calling out those who are doing the contracting is the right way to go".

It was also noted that, the Colombian government recently passed a law approving the anti-mercenary convention, aiming to curb years of participation by its nationals in overseas wars and transform national security policy.

Another expert, a authority on private military contractors, urged more caution, noting that "penalties are required yet incomplete for combating the growing mercenary trade".

"It operates in the black market and centered in the UAE, which is relatively sanction-proof," he said. The United Arab Emirates has been widely accused of arming the RSF, an accusation it has denied. "More contractors from Colombia are likely," he advised.