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The Washington has levied restrictions on a network of four people and four firms accused of recruiting former Colombian soldiers to combat alongside and instruct a militia force in Sudan the United States claims of genocidal acts.

Operation Structure

Announcing the sanctions on this week, the US Treasury Department stated the network was mostly comprised of Colombian nationals and companies.

Numerous of ex-soldiers from Colombia have been recruited to go to the conflict in Sudan to fight alongside the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a force implicated in horrific war crimes such as ethnically targeted slaughter and widespread kidnappings.

Discovery of Participation

The role of these mercenaries first came to light in 2024, prompted by an inquiry which revealed that more than 300 former soldiers had been contracted to fight – an event that resulted in an unprecedented apology from officials in Bogotá.

Colombian ex-soldiers have widely regarded as some of the most in-demand contractors globally due to their vast combat experience acquired during years of internal conflict, knowledge of advanced weaponry, and elite military instruction.

Role in the Conflict

In Sudan, the contractors have allegedly instructed minors, taught fighters to pilot drones, and engaged in frontline combat. One source was quoted as saying that working with child soldiers was "horrific and irrational" but noted that "sadly, that is the nature of conflict".

Named Entities

Among those sanctioned was Álvaro Andrés Quijano Becerra, a citizen of both Colombia and Italy and retired Colombian military officer based in the United Arab Emirates. The Treasury alleged he played a key part in enlisting and transporting former Colombian soldiers to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was penalized as well.

Also on the penalty list was Mateo Andrés Duque Botero, a dual Colombian-Spanish citizen who authorities say oversaw a company linked to managing finances and payments for the recruitment operation. "In 2024 and 2025, American entities associated with Duque carried out multiple financial transactions, worth millions," the government release said.

Colombian national Mónica Muñoz was the final person to be sanctioned, with the firm she operated alleged to have financial transactions connected to Duque and his companies.

"The US once more urges foreign parties to halt the flow of financial and military support to the warring parties," the Treasury stated.

Reaction

Elizabeth Dickinson, from a conflict think tank, described the actions as a "highly important" step, noting that "identifying the recruiters is the right way to go".

Furthermore, Colombia has enacted a statute endorsing the anti-mercenary convention, designed to limit its citizens' long history in international fights and change its security approach.

Another expert, an expert on mercenaries, advised additional measures, noting that "penalties are required yet incomplete for addressing widespread use of contractors".

"It operates in the black market and centered in the UAE, which is largely insulated from sanctions," he said. The UAE has been widely accused of providing arms to the militia, an accusation it has denied. "More contractors from Colombia are likely," he advised.