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The United States has levied restrictions on a group of several persons and entities alleged of recruiting Colombian mercenaries to fight for and train a armed faction in Sudan which the US alleges of genocidal acts.

Group Makeup

Disclosing the measures on Tuesday, the Treasury stated the operation was mostly comprised of individuals and businesses from Colombia.

Hundreds of ex-soldiers from Colombia have reportedly travelled to the conflict in Sudan to combat beside the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a group accused of horrific war crimes including targeted ethnic killings and widespread kidnappings.

Emergence of Involvement

The role of these mercenaries was first uncovered in 2024, prompted by an inquiry which found that over three hundred former soldiers had been recruited to participate in the war – an event that led to an unprecedented apology from Colombia’s foreign ministry.

Colombian ex-soldiers have long been considered as among the world’s most sought-after mercenaries due to their extensive battlefield experience acquired during a long-running domestic war, familiarity with advanced weaponry, and superior tactical education.

Role in the Conflict

In Sudan, the Colombians have been accused of teaching child soldiers, instructed militiamen in drone operation, and fought directly on the frontlines. One source previously stated that working with child soldiers was "terrible and insane" but commented that "unfortunately that’s how war is".

Named Entities

Among those penalized was Álvaro Andrés Quijano Becerra, a individual with dual citizenship and retired Colombian military officer operating from the Dubai. The Treasury said he had a central role in hiring and sending ex-military personnel to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was similarly targeted.

Also on the sanctions list was Mateo Duque Botero, a individual with Colombian and Spanish citizenship who the Treasury stated oversaw a company implicated in handling funds and payroll for the scheme. "In 2024 and 2025, companies in the United States linked to Duque engaged in numerous wire transfers, worth millions," the Treasury statement said.

Individual Mónica Muñoz was the final person to be penalized, with the firm she operated accused of money transfers linked to Duque and his companies.

"The United States again calls on external actors to stop giving funding and arms to the warring parties," the department stated.

Expert Analysis

Elizabeth Dickinson, from a conflict think tank, called the actions as a "highly important" step, saying that "targeting the enablers is the right way to go".

Furthermore, the Colombian government ratified a law ratifying the anti-mercenary convention, designed to limit its citizens' long history in foreign conflicts and transform national security policy.

Another expert, an expert on mercenaries, called for greater wariness, stating that "sanctions are necessary but insufficient for dealing with widespread use of contractors".

"It operates in the black market and centered in Dubai, which is difficult to penalize," he stated. The United Arab Emirates has been repeatedly implicated of supplying weapons to the paramilitary group, claims it rejects. "Expect more Colombian mercenaries," McFate warned.