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The US government has levied restrictions on a operation of four individuals and four companies accused of recruiting Colombian mercenaries to combat alongside and instruct a militia force in Sudan which the US alleges of acts of genocide.

Group Makeup

Disclosing the restrictions on Tuesday, the American treasury stated the scheme was mostly comprised of individuals and businesses from Colombia.

Hundreds of ex-soldiers from Colombia have reportedly travelled to Sudan to combat beside the RSF paramilitary group, a faction implicated in severe violations including massacres based on ethnicity and widespread kidnappings.

Revelation of Role

The role of these mercenaries first came to light the previous year, prompted by an inquiry which revealed that over three hundred ex-military personnel had been recruited to fight – an discovery that resulted in an unprecedented apology from Colombia’s foreign ministry.

These South American veterans have historically been seen as highly prized fighters in conflict zones due to their extensive battlefield experience gleaned from a long-running domestic war, knowledge of Nato equipment, and superior tactical education.

Role in the Conflict

In the conflict, the Colombians have been accused of teaching minors, instructed militiamen in drone operation, and engaged in frontline combat. A mercenary previously stated that training children was "awful and crazy" but added that "regrettably, war operates that way".

Sanctioned Individuals

Among those targeted was Álvaro Andrés Quijano Becerra, a individual with dual citizenship and former army officer based in the United Arab Emirates. The government accused him a key part in enlisting and transporting ex-military personnel to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was similarly targeted.

Also on the penalty list was Duque Botero, a dual Colombian-Spanish citizen who the Treasury stated ran a firm accused of processing money and salaries for the network. "In 2024 and 2025, US-based firms associated with Duque carried out several money transfers, totalling millions of US dollars," the government release stated.

Citizen of Colombia Mónica Muñoz was the final person to be targeted, with the company she managed accused of financial transactions connected to Duque and his businesses.

"Washington reiterates its demand for foreign parties to stop giving financial and military support to the combatants," the Treasury announced.

Expert Analysis

Elizabeth Dickinson, senior analyst at the International Crisis Group, described the measures as a "very significant" step, stating that "calling out those who are doing the contracting is the correct approach".

Furthermore, the Colombian government has enacted a law endorsing the International Convention Against the Recruitment and Use of Mercenaries, seeking to reduce years of participation by its nationals in foreign conflicts and change domestic defense strategy.

Another expert, a authority on private military contractors, called for greater wariness, saying that "penalties are required yet incomplete for addressing widespread use of contractors".

"It’s an illicit economy and centered in Dubai, which is difficult to penalize," he stated. The Emirati government has been widely accused of arming the RSF, allegations it disputes. "More contractors from Colombia are likely," McFate warned.