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The US government has levied restrictions on a network of four people and four firms charged of recruiting former Colombian soldiers to combat alongside and instruct a militia force in Sudan which the US alleges of committing genocide.

Operation Structure

Revealing the measures on Tuesday, the American treasury stated the operation was primarily made up of individuals and businesses from Colombia.

Numerous of retired Colombian troops have been recruited to go to the Sudanese warzone to fight alongside the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a force accused of terrible atrocities encompassing ethnically targeted slaughter and mass abductions.

Revelation of Role

The role of these mercenaries was first uncovered in 2024, prompted by an investigation which found that hundreds of ex-military personnel had been contracted to engage in combat – an revelation that led to an rare mea culpa from the Colombian government.

These South American veterans have widely regarded as among the world’s most sought-after mercenaries due to their considerable warzone knowledge gleaned from years of internal conflict, knowledge of Western military gear, and high-level combat training.

Role in the Conflict

In the conflict, the mercenaries have been accused of teaching minors, taught fighters to pilot drones, and engaged in frontline combat. An individual involved previously stated that working with child soldiers was "terrible and insane" but commented that "regrettably, war operates that way".

Targeted Persons

Among those targeted was Álvaro Andrés Quijano Becerra, a individual with dual citizenship and former army officer located in the UAE. The US authorities accused him a central role in hiring and sending mercenaries to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Oliveros, was penalized as well.

Also on the sanctions list was Mateo Duque Botero, a individual with Colombian and Spanish citizenship who authorities say oversaw a company accused of managing finances and payments for the recruitment operation. "In 2024 and 2025, American entities connected to Duque carried out several money transfers, totalling millions of US dollars," the official announcement stated.

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

"Washington reiterates its demand for outside forces to halt the flow of financial and military support to the warring parties," the agency announced.

Expert Analysis

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

It was also noted that, Colombia recently passed a statute endorsing the International Convention Against the Recruitment and Use of Mercenaries, aiming to curb years of participation by its nationals in overseas wars and change national security policy.

Another expert, an expert on mercenaries, advised additional measures, saying that "restrictions are needed but not enough for addressing the growing mercenary trade".

"It’s an illicit economy and centered in the Emirates, which is relatively sanction-proof," he commented. The United Arab Emirates has been widely accused of arming the RSF, claims it rejects. "Expect more Colombian mercenaries," the expert cautioned.