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The US government has levied restrictions on a group of four individuals and four companies alleged of hiring former Colombian soldiers to combat alongside and instruct a militia force in Sudan which the US alleges of committing genocide.

Network Composition

Revealing the measures on this week, the Treasury stated the operation was primarily made up of individuals and businesses from Colombia.

Hundreds of former Colombian military personnel have reportedly travelled to Sudan to operate with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a force linked to horrific war crimes such as ethnically targeted slaughter and large-scale abductions.

Discovery of Participation

The participation of ex-soldiers was first uncovered in 2024, prompted by an report which revealed that over three hundred ex-military personnel had been recruited to participate in the war – an discovery that resulted in an unusual statement of regret from officials in Bogotá.

Colombian ex-soldiers have historically been seen as some of the most in-demand contractors globally due to their vast combat experience acquired during years of internal conflict, knowledge of Western military gear, and elite military instruction.

Reported Actions

In Sudan, the mercenaries have allegedly instructed child soldiers, instructed militiamen in drone operation, and fought directly on the frontlines. One source was quoted as saying that working with child soldiers 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 former army officer based in the UAE. The Treasury alleged he played a central role in hiring and sending mercenaries to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Oliveros, was similarly targeted.

Also on the penalty list was Mateo Andrés Duque Botero, a individual with Colombian and Spanish citizenship who the Treasury stated ran a firm linked to processing money and salaries for the scheme. "Over the past two years, American entities associated with Duque engaged in multiple financial transactions, totalling millions of US dollars," the Treasury statement stated.

Individual Mónica Muñoz was the final person to be penalized, with the firm she operated accused of financial transactions associated with Duque and his operations.

"The US once more urges outside forces to halt the flow of financial and military support to the warring parties," the Treasury stated.

Analyst Commentary

Elizabeth Dickinson, from a conflict think tank, called the sanctions as a "highly important" step, noting that "targeting the enablers is the proper strategy".

Furthermore, the Colombian government ratified a piece of legislation endorsing the anti-mercenary convention, aiming to curb decades of Colombian involvement in overseas wars and transform domestic defense strategy.

A mercenary specialist, a scholar on the subject, called for greater wariness, saying that "restrictions are needed but not enough for dealing with the growing mercenary trade".

"This is a shadow economy and operating from Dubai, which is largely insulated from sanctions," he commented. The United Arab Emirates has been repeatedly implicated of supplying weapons to the paramilitary group, allegations it disputes. "More contractors from Colombia are likely," the expert cautioned.