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The Washington has levied restrictions on a group of four people and four firms charged of hiring Colombian mercenaries to support and educate a militia force in Sudan which the US alleges of genocidal acts.

Network Composition

Disclosing the sanctions on Tuesday, the Treasury stated the scheme was primarily made up of Colombian citizens and firms.

Hundreds of ex-soldiers from Colombia have been recruited to go to Sudan to fight alongside the RSF paramilitary group, a group linked to severe violations such as massacres based on ethnicity and widespread kidnappings.

Discovery of Participation

The role of these mercenaries first came to light in 2024, after an report which disclosed that more than 300 former soldiers had been contracted to participate in the war – an discovery that prompted an rare mea culpa from officials in Bogotá.

Colombian ex-soldiers have long been considered as highly prized fighters in conflict zones due to their extensive battlefield experience acquired during a long-running domestic war, training on advanced weaponry, and elite military instruction.

Reported Actions

In the Sudanese theater, the contractors have been accused of teaching minors, provided drone warfare training, and fought directly on the frontlines. An individual involved was quoted as saying that working with child soldiers was "awful and crazy" but added that "sadly, that is the nature of conflict".

Named Entities

Among those targeted was Álvaro Andrés Quijano Becerra, a citizen of both Colombia and Italy and retired Colombian military officer based in the UAE. The US authorities said he had a pivotal function in recruiting and deploying mercenaries to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Oliveros, was similarly targeted.

Also on the penalty list was Duque Botero, a dual Colombian-Spanish citizen who officials alleged oversaw a company accused of processing money and salaries for the recruitment operation. "Recently, US-based firms associated with Duque conducted several money transfers, worth millions," the government release said.

Citizen of Colombia Mónica Muñoz was the final person to be sanctioned, with the company she managed alleged to have money transfers connected to Duque and his operations.

"The United States again calls on external actors to halt the flow of monetary and weaponry aid to the warring parties," the Treasury stated.

Analyst Commentary

An expert, senior analyst at the International Crisis Group, labeled the measures as a "highly important" milestone, stating that "calling out those who are doing the contracting is the correct approach".

It was also noted that, Bogotá ratified a statute approving the global treaty against mercenarism, designed to limit years of participation by its nationals in international fights and transform its security approach.

Sean McFate, an expert on mercenaries, urged more caution, stating that "restrictions are needed but not enough for combating the growing mercenary trade".

"It’s an illicit economy and centered in Dubai, which is relatively sanction-proof," he commented. The UAE has been widely accused of providing arms to the militia, an accusation it has denied. "Expect more Colombian mercenaries," he advised.