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The Washington has levied restrictions on a operation of several persons and entities alleged of recruiting former Colombian soldiers to combat alongside and instruct a militia force in Sudan the United States claims of acts of genocide.

Operation Structure

Announcing the restrictions on this week, the US Treasury Department stated the network was largely composed of Colombian citizens and firms.

Scores of ex-soldiers from Colombia have been recruited to go to Sudan to operate with the Sudanese RSF militia, a faction linked to horrific war crimes such as targeted ethnic killings and widespread kidnappings.

Emergence of Involvement

The role of these mercenaries first came to light in 2024, prompted by an investigation which disclosed that over three hundred ex-military personnel had been recruited to engage in combat – an discovery that led to an unprecedented apology from Colombia’s foreign ministry.

Former Colombian military have widely regarded as highly prized fighters in conflict zones due to their vast combat experience acquired during decades of civil war, knowledge of Nato equipment, and high-level combat training.

Role in the Conflict

In Sudan, the Colombians have reportedly trained underage fighters, provided drone warfare training, and fought directly on the frontlines. One source remarked that training children was "terrible and insane" but noted that "unfortunately that’s how war is".

Sanctioned Individuals

Among those targeted was Álvaro Andrés Quijano Becerra, a individual with dual citizenship and ex-soldier located in the UAE. The US authorities alleged he played a key part in enlisting and transporting former Colombian soldiers to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was penalized as well.

Also on the penalty list was Mateo Duque Botero, a dual Colombian-Spanish citizen who the Treasury stated ran a firm implicated in managing finances and payments for the recruitment operation. "In 2024 and 2025, US-based firms connected to Duque engaged in multiple financial transactions, amounting to millions," the Treasury statement said.

Colombian national Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the final person to be sanctioned, with the firm she operated said to have conducted wire transfers connected to Duque and his companies.

"The United States again calls on foreign parties to stop giving financial and military support to the combatants," the agency announced.

Analyst Commentary

A senior analyst, senior analyst at the International Crisis Group, called the measures as a "very significant" milestone, saying that "identifying the recruiters is the right way to go".

It was also noted that, Bogotá ratified a statute ratifying the International Convention Against the Recruitment and Use of Mercenaries, seeking to reduce its citizens' long history in overseas wars and reshape national security policy.

A mercenary specialist, an expert on mercenaries, called for greater wariness, saying that "sanctions are necessary but insufficient for dealing with the growing mercenary trade".

"It’s an illicit economy and operating from the Emirates, which is difficult to penalize," he said. The Emirati government has been frequently alleged of arming the RSF, allegations it disputes. "Expect more Colombian mercenaries," McFate warned.