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The United States has levied restrictions on a operation of four people and four firms accused of enlisting Colombian mercenaries to combat alongside and instruct a militia force in Sudan which the US alleges of committing genocide.

Network Composition

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

Numerous of retired Colombian troops have reportedly travelled to the conflict in Sudan to combat beside the RSF paramilitary group, a faction accused of horrific war crimes including ethnically targeted slaughter and widespread kidnappings.

Revelation of Role

The role of these mercenaries first came to light in 2024, after an investigation which found that more than 300 former soldiers had been hired to fight – an discovery that resulted in an rare mea culpa from Colombia’s foreign ministry.

Former Colombian military have historically been seen as among the world’s most sought-after mercenaries due to their extensive battlefield experience resulting from decades of civil war, training on Western military gear, and high-level combat training.

Activities in Sudan

In Sudan, the mercenaries have been accused of teaching underage fighters, instructed militiamen in drone operation, and fought directly on the frontlines. A mercenary remarked that training children was "awful and crazy" but added that "regrettably, war operates that way".

Targeted Persons

Among those penalized was Álvaro Andrés Quijano Becerra, a citizen of both Colombia and Italy and ex-soldier operating from the United Arab Emirates. The Treasury said he had a pivotal function in recruiting and deploying ex-military personnel to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was penalized as well.

Also on the restricted list was Duque Botero, a individual with Colombian and Spanish citizenship who authorities say managed a business accused of handling funds and payroll for the recruitment operation. "Over the past two years, American entities linked to Duque engaged in multiple financial transactions, worth millions," the Treasury statement noted.

Individual Mónica Muñoz was the other individual to be targeted, with the company she managed accused of wire transfers connected to Duque and his businesses.

"Washington reiterates its demand for external actors to cease providing funding and arms to the warring parties," the Treasury said in a statement.

Analyst Commentary

An expert, senior analyst at the International Crisis Group, described the actions as a "major" development, saying that "identifying the recruiters is the proper strategy".

She added that, the Colombian government recently passed a statute ratifying the global treaty against mercenarism, designed to limit decades of Colombian involvement in international fights and reshape its security approach.

A mercenary specialist, an expert on mercenaries, advised additional measures, noting that "sanctions are necessary but insufficient for dealing with the growing mercenary trade".

"It’s an illicit economy and based out of Dubai, which is largely insulated from sanctions," he commented. The UAE has been widely accused of arming the RSF, claims it rejects. "This trend will probably continue," the expert cautioned.