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The Washington has imposed sanctions on a group of several persons and entities charged of enlisting Colombian mercenaries to support and educate a armed faction in Sudan which the US alleges of committing genocide.

Network Composition

Revealing the restrictions on Tuesday, the US Treasury Department stated the operation was mostly comprised of individuals and businesses from Colombia.

Numerous of retired Colombian troops have been recruited to go to Sudan to operate with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a group linked to severe violations including massacres based on ethnicity and mass abductions.

Emergence of Involvement

The role of these mercenaries was first uncovered the previous year, following an investigation which disclosed that more than 300 former soldiers had been contracted to participate in the war – an discovery that led to an unusual statement of regret from Colombia’s foreign ministry.

Former Colombian military have widely regarded as among the world’s most sought-after mercenaries due to their vast combat experience gleaned from a long-running domestic war, training on Western military gear, and elite military instruction.

Activities in Sudan

In the conflict, the mercenaries have been accused of teaching underage fighters, taught fighters to pilot drones, and participated in direct battles. One source remarked that working with child soldiers was "awful and crazy" but added that "unfortunately that’s how war is".

Sanctioned Individuals

Among those targeted was Álvaro Andrés Quijano Becerra, a individual with dual citizenship and ex-soldier based in the Dubai. The US authorities said he had a central role in recruiting and deploying former Colombian soldiers to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was penalized as well.

Also on the penalty list was Duque Botero, a individual with Colombian and Spanish citizenship who the Treasury stated managed a business accused of managing finances and payments for the network. "In 2024 and 2025, American entities linked to Duque carried out several money transfers, worth millions," the Treasury statement noted.

Citizen of Colombia Mónica Muñoz was the final person to be targeted, with the company she managed alleged to have financial transactions connected to Duque and his businesses.

"The US once more urges external actors to stop giving financial and military support to the warring parties," the Treasury said in a statement.

Analyst Commentary

A senior analyst, senior analyst at the International Crisis Group, described the sanctions as a "major" step, noting that "targeting the enablers is the proper strategy".

She added that, Bogotá has enacted a law approving the anti-mercenary convention, aiming to curb years of participation by its nationals in foreign conflicts and reshape its security approach.

Sean McFate, a scholar on the subject, called for greater wariness, noting that "restrictions are needed but not enough for dealing with widespread use of contractors".

"It’s an illicit economy and centered in the UAE, which is relatively sanction-proof," he said. The United Arab Emirates has been frequently alleged of providing arms to the militia, allegations it disputes. "This trend will probably continue," McFate warned.