Washington Levies Restrictions on Operation Accused of Channeling Colombian Contractors to the Sudanese Conflict.

The US government has enforced penalties on a operation of four people and four firms accused of enlisting South American contractors to fight for and train a militia force in Sudan which the US alleges of committing genocide.

Operation Structure

Revealing the restrictions on this week, the American treasury stated the scheme was mostly comprised of individuals and businesses from Colombia.

Scores of ex-soldiers from Colombia have reportedly travelled to the conflict in Sudan to operate with the RSF paramilitary group, a group implicated in severe violations encompassing targeted ethnic killings and widespread kidnappings.

Discovery of Participation

The participation of ex-soldiers was first uncovered last year, prompted by an investigation which found that over three hundred ex-military personnel had been recruited to engage in combat – an discovery that resulted in an unprecedented apology from Colombia’s foreign ministry.

These South American veterans have long been considered as among the world’s most sought-after mercenaries due to their vast combat experience acquired during a long-running domestic war, knowledge of Western military gear, and high-level combat training.

Reported Actions

In the conflict, the mercenaries have reportedly trained minors, taught fighters to pilot drones, and fought directly on the frontlines. One source previously stated that training children was "terrible and insane" but commented that "unfortunately that’s how war is".

Sanctioned Individuals

Among those sanctioned 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 pivotal function in enlisting and transporting former Colombian soldiers to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Oliveros, was also sanctioned.

Also on the penalty list was Duque Botero, a dual national who authorities say oversaw a company linked to handling funds and payroll for the recruitment operation. "In 2024 and 2025, companies in the United States connected to Duque conducted multiple financial transactions, totalling millions of US dollars," the official announcement noted.

Individual Mónica Muñoz was the other individual to be penalized, with the company she managed alleged to have wire transfers connected to Duque and his companies.

"Washington reiterates its demand for external actors to halt the flow of funding and arms to the combatants," the agency stated.

Expert Analysis

An expert, with the International Crisis Group, called the sanctions as a "very significant" step, saying that "identifying the recruiters is the right way to go".

Furthermore, the Colombian government ratified a statute approving the International Convention Against the Recruitment and Use of Mercenaries, designed to limit decades of Colombian involvement in international fights and change its security approach.

Another expert, an expert on mercenaries, advised additional measures, saying that "restrictions are needed but not enough for dealing with widespread use of contractors".

"It operates in the black market and based out of Dubai, which is difficult to penalize," he commented. The United Arab Emirates has been frequently alleged of arming the RSF, allegations it disputes. "Expect more Colombian mercenaries," the expert cautioned.