Washington Levies Restrictions on Operation Accused of Recruiting South American Fighters to Sudan.

The United States has imposed sanctions on a operation of four individuals and four companies charged of hiring former Colombian soldiers to combat alongside and instruct a Sudanese paramilitary group the United States claims of genocidal acts.

Network Composition

Disclosing the measures on this week, the American treasury stated the scheme was mostly comprised of Colombian citizens and firms.

Numerous of retired Colombian troops have allegedly journeyed to Sudan to operate with the Sudanese RSF militia, a group implicated in terrible atrocities such as targeted ethnic killings and mass abductions.

Revelation of Role

The participation of ex-soldiers initially emerged in 2024, after an report which disclosed that more than 300 former soldiers had been recruited to fight – an revelation that led to an rare mea culpa from officials in Bogotá.

Colombian ex-soldiers have historically been seen as among the world’s most sought-after mercenaries due to their vast combat experience gleaned from years of internal conflict, familiarity with Nato equipment, and high-level combat training.

Role in the Conflict

In the Sudanese theater, the Colombians have been accused of teaching underage fighters, taught fighters to pilot drones, and fought directly on the frontlines. One source was quoted as saying that instructing minors was "awful and crazy" but noted that "sadly, that is the nature of conflict".

Named Entities

Among those penalized was Álvaro Andrés Quijano Becerra, a citizen of both Colombia and Italy and ex-soldier located in the Dubai. The government alleged he played a central role in hiring and sending former Colombian soldiers to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was penalized as well.

Also on the restricted list was Mateo Andrés Duque Botero, a dual national who the Treasury stated managed a business linked to handling funds and payroll for the scheme. "In 2024 and 2025, US-based firms associated with Duque conducted numerous wire transfers, totalling millions of US dollars," the government release said.

Colombian national Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the fourth individual to be sanctioned, with the company she managed accused of financial transactions connected to Duque and his operations.

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

Reaction

A senior analyst, senior analyst at the International Crisis Group, labeled the sanctions as a "highly important" step, stating that "identifying the recruiters is the correct approach".

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

Sean McFate, a authority on private military contractors, advised additional measures, stating that "sanctions are necessary but insufficient for combating rampant mercenarism".

"This is a shadow economy and centered in Dubai, which is largely insulated from sanctions," he stated. The UAE has been frequently alleged of arming the RSF, claims it rejects. "More contractors from Colombia are likely," the expert cautioned.