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The United States has imposed sanctions on a network of four individuals and four companies charged of hiring Colombian mercenaries to fight for and train a armed faction in Sudan the United States claims of committing genocide.

Operation Structure

Announcing the restrictions on this week, the US Treasury Department stated the operation was largely composed of Colombian nationals and companies.

Scores of former Colombian military personnel have reportedly travelled to Sudan to fight alongside the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a group linked to severe violations such as ethnically targeted slaughter and widespread kidnappings.

Emergence of Involvement

The participation of ex-soldiers first came to light in 2024, following an inquiry which disclosed that over three hundred ex-military personnel had been hired to participate in the war – an discovery that led to an unprecedented apology from officials in Bogotá.

Former Colombian military have long been considered as highly prized fighters in conflict zones due to their considerable warzone knowledge resulting from decades of civil war, training on Western military gear, and superior tactical education.

Reported Actions

In the conflict, the contractors have been accused of teaching child soldiers, instructed militiamen in drone operation, and fought directly on the frontlines. A mercenary previously stated that working with child soldiers was "horrific and irrational" but added that "regrettably, war operates that way".

Named Entities

Among those sanctioned was Álvaro Andrés Quijano Becerra, a individual with dual citizenship and former army officer based in the United Arab Emirates. The US authorities accused him a pivotal function in hiring and sending ex-military personnel to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was also sanctioned.

Also on the sanctions list was Mateo Andrés Duque Botero, a dual Colombian-Spanish citizen who officials alleged ran a firm linked to processing money and salaries for the scheme. "Recently, companies in the United States associated with Duque carried out multiple financial transactions, worth millions," the government release said.

Colombian national Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the fourth individual to be sanctioned, with the firm she operated alleged to have financial transactions connected to Duque and his businesses.

"The United States again calls on outside forces to cease providing funding and arms to the combatants," the Treasury said in a statement.

Reaction

Elizabeth Dickinson, from a conflict think tank, labeled the measures as a "major" step, stating that "targeting the enablers is the proper strategy".

It was also noted that, the Colombian government ratified a statute ratifying the International Convention Against the Recruitment and Use of Mercenaries, designed to limit years of participation by its nationals in overseas wars and transform national security policy.

Sean McFate, a scholar on the subject, called for greater wariness, noting that "penalties are required yet incomplete for dealing with widespread use of contractors".

"It operates in the black market and centered in Dubai, which is largely insulated from sanctions," he stated. The UAE has been widely accused of providing arms to the militia, allegations it disputes. "More contractors from Colombia are likely," McFate warned.