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The US government has levied restrictions on a operation of four individuals and four companies accused of enlisting Colombian mercenaries to combat alongside and instruct a militia force in Sudan the United States claims of genocidal acts.

Operation Structure

Announcing the restrictions on this week, the Treasury stated the operation was largely composed of Colombian citizens and firms.

Hundreds of ex-soldiers from Colombia have been recruited to go to the Sudanese warzone to operate with the Sudanese RSF militia, a group linked to severe violations including ethnically targeted slaughter and widespread kidnappings.

Revelation of Role

The participation of ex-soldiers first came to light the previous year, prompted by an report which disclosed that more than 300 former soldiers had been hired to engage in combat – an revelation that led to an unusual statement of regret from officials in Bogotá.

These South American veterans have historically been seen as some of the most in-demand contractors globally due to their extensive battlefield experience acquired during years of internal conflict, familiarity with Nato equipment, and elite military instruction.

Activities in Sudan

In Sudan, the Colombians have allegedly instructed child soldiers, instructed militiamen in drone operation, and engaged in frontline combat. One source remarked that training children was "terrible and insane" but added that "regrettably, war operates that way".

Sanctioned Individuals

Among those targeted was Álvaro Andrés Quijano Becerra, a individual with dual citizenship and ex-soldier located in the UAE. The US authorities accused him a pivotal function in enlisting and transporting former Colombian soldiers to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Oliveros, was also sanctioned.

Also on the restricted list was Mateo Duque Botero, a dual national who officials alleged managed a business implicated in managing finances and payments for the recruitment operation. "In 2024 and 2025, American entities linked to Duque conducted several money transfers, totalling millions of US dollars," the official announcement stated.

Individual Mónica Muñoz was the other individual to be penalized, with the entity she oversaw alleged to have money transfers connected to Duque and his operations.

"The United States again calls on outside forces to cease providing funding and arms to the belligerents," the agency announced.

Expert Analysis

Elizabeth Dickinson, from a conflict think tank, described the sanctions as a "major" development, stating that "targeting the enablers is the correct approach".

It was also noted that, Bogotá has enacted a statute endorsing the global treaty against mercenarism, designed to limit years of participation by its nationals in overseas wars and transform its security approach.

Another expert, a scholar on the subject, called for greater wariness, stating that "penalties are required yet incomplete for dealing with the growing mercenary trade".

"It’s an illicit economy and based out of the UAE, which is largely insulated from sanctions," he said. The UAE has been widely accused of supplying weapons to the paramilitary group, allegations it disputes. "More contractors from Colombia are likely," McFate warned.