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The US government has levied restrictions on a group of several persons and entities alleged of recruiting former Colombian soldiers to fight for and train a Sudanese paramilitary group which the US alleges of genocidal acts.

Group Makeup

Revealing the restrictions on this week, the US Treasury Department stated the operation was largely composed of Colombian nationals and companies.

Scores of retired Colombian troops have been recruited to go to Sudan to operate with the RSF paramilitary group, a faction accused of terrible atrocities including ethnically targeted slaughter and large-scale abductions.

Revelation of Role

The role of these mercenaries initially emerged in 2024, following an investigation which revealed that over three hundred former soldiers had been hired to fight – an discovery that resulted in 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 gleaned from years of internal conflict, familiarity with Western military gear, and elite military instruction.

Role in the Conflict

In the conflict, the contractors have reportedly trained child soldiers, taught fighters to pilot drones, and engaged in frontline combat. One source remarked that instructing minors was "awful and crazy" but noted that "unfortunately that’s how war is".

Sanctioned Individuals

Among those targeted was Álvaro Andrés Quijano Becerra, a citizen of both Colombia and Italy and ex-soldier located in the United Arab Emirates. The Treasury alleged he played a central role in enlisting and transporting ex-military personnel to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Oliveros, was penalized as well.

Also on the sanctions list was Mateo Andrés Duque Botero, a dual Colombian-Spanish citizen who authorities say oversaw a company linked to processing money and salaries for the network. "Over the past two years, American entities associated with Duque engaged in several money transfers, worth millions," the official announcement noted.

Individual Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the final person to be targeted, with the company she managed alleged to have wire transfers connected to Duque and his operations.

"The US once more urges outside forces to cease providing financial and military support to the warring parties," the Treasury stated.

Expert Analysis

Elizabeth Dickinson, with the International Crisis Group, called the actions as a "major" step, saying that "calling out those who are doing the contracting is the right way to go".

She added that, Bogotá ratified a statute endorsing the global treaty against mercenarism, seeking to reduce years of participation by its nationals in overseas wars and reshape its security approach.

A mercenary specialist, a scholar on the subject, urged more caution, saying that "restrictions are needed but not enough for dealing with the growing mercenary trade".

"It’s an illicit economy and operating from the Emirates, which is relatively sanction-proof," he commented. The United Arab Emirates has been repeatedly implicated of supplying weapons to the paramilitary group, allegations it disputes. "Expect more Colombian mercenaries," he advised.