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The Washington has imposed sanctions on a group of four people and four firms alleged of enlisting former Colombian soldiers to fight for and train a armed faction in Sudan that Washington accuses of committing genocide.

Network Composition

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

Scores of retired Colombian troops have allegedly journeyed to the conflict in Sudan to fight alongside the Sudanese RSF militia, a group implicated in horrific war crimes including ethnically targeted slaughter and large-scale abductions.

Discovery of Participation

The involvement of Colombian fighters first came to light the previous year, following an investigation which revealed that over three hundred retired troops had been recruited to engage in combat – an event that prompted an unusual statement of regret from officials in Bogotá.

Former Colombian military have widely regarded as among the world’s most sought-after mercenaries due to their vast combat experience acquired during decades of civil war, knowledge of Western military gear, and high-level combat training.

Reported Actions

In Sudan, the mercenaries have allegedly instructed minors, instructed militiamen in drone operation, and participated in direct battles. An individual involved was quoted as saying that instructing minors was "terrible and insane" but commented that "sadly, that is the nature of conflict".

Named Entities

Among those penalized was Álvaro Andrés Quijano Becerra, a individual with dual citizenship and former army officer operating from the United Arab Emirates. The Treasury alleged he played a key part in hiring and sending mercenaries to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was similarly targeted.

Also on the penalty list was Mateo Andrés Duque Botero, a dual Colombian-Spanish citizen who the Treasury stated managed a business accused of processing money and salaries for the network. "In 2024 and 2025, American entities connected to Duque engaged in several money transfers, worth millions," the government release noted.

Individual Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the fourth individual to be sanctioned, with the entity she oversaw accused of wire transfers connected to Duque and his operations.

"The United States again calls on foreign parties to stop giving monetary and weaponry aid to the belligerents," the Treasury announced.

Reaction

An expert, senior analyst at the International Crisis Group, called the sanctions as a "highly important" development, noting that "calling out those who are doing the contracting is the right way to go".

It was also noted that, Bogotá ratified a piece of legislation approving the International Convention Against the Recruitment and Use of Mercenaries, aiming to curb its citizens' long history in foreign conflicts and transform its security approach.

A mercenary specialist, an expert on mercenaries, urged more caution, saying that "penalties are required yet incomplete for addressing the growing mercenary trade".

"This is a shadow economy and operating from Dubai, which is largely insulated from sanctions," he said. The Emirati government has been widely accused of providing arms to the militia, claims it rejects. "More contractors from Colombia are likely," McFate warned.