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The US government has imposed sanctions on a group of four people and four firms alleged of hiring Colombian mercenaries to support and educate a Sudanese paramilitary group the United States claims of genocidal acts.

Operation Structure

Disclosing the sanctions on this week, the Treasury stated the network was primarily made up of Colombian citizens and firms.

Hundreds of retired Colombian troops have reportedly travelled to the conflict in Sudan to operate with the Sudanese RSF militia, a group accused of terrible atrocities encompassing targeted ethnic killings and large-scale abductions.

Emergence of Involvement

The role of these mercenaries initially emerged in 2024, prompted by an investigation which disclosed that hundreds of ex-military personnel had been contracted to participate in the war – an revelation that led to an unusual statement of regret from Colombia’s foreign ministry.

Former Colombian military have long been considered as among the world’s most sought-after mercenaries due to their extensive battlefield experience gleaned from years of internal conflict, training on Nato equipment, and superior tactical education.

Reported Actions

In Sudan, the contractors have reportedly trained child soldiers, instructed militiamen in drone operation, and engaged in frontline combat. One source was quoted as saying that training children was "horrific and irrational" but commented that "regrettably, war operates that way".

Targeted Persons

Among those targeted was Álvaro Andrés Quijano Becerra, a individual with dual citizenship and ex-soldier operating from the Dubai. The US authorities accused him a central role in recruiting and deploying former Colombian soldiers to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Oliveros, was also sanctioned.

Also on the restricted list was Mateo Andrés Duque Botero, a dual Colombian-Spanish citizen who officials alleged ran a firm accused of managing finances and payments for the scheme. "Over the past two years, companies in the United States linked to Duque carried out numerous wire transfers, totalling millions of US dollars," the official announcement noted.

Colombian national Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the final person to be targeted, with the firm she operated alleged to have money transfers linked to Duque and his businesses.

"The US once more urges foreign parties to stop giving financial and military support to the belligerents," the Treasury announced.

Reaction

An expert, senior analyst at the International Crisis Group, called the sanctions as a "very significant" step, stating that "targeting the enablers is the correct approach".

It was also noted that, Colombia ratified a statute approving the anti-mercenary convention, aiming to curb years of participation by its nationals in international fights and change its security approach.

Sean McFate, an expert on mercenaries, advised additional measures, noting that "restrictions are needed but not enough for addressing rampant mercenarism".

"This is a shadow economy and centered in the UAE, which is largely insulated from sanctions," he said. The Emirati government has been widely accused of providing arms to the militia, an accusation it has denied. "Expect more Colombian mercenaries," he advised.