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The Washington has imposed sanctions on a operation of four individuals and four companies charged of enlisting former Colombian soldiers to combat alongside and instruct a armed faction in Sudan which the US alleges of committing genocide.

Group Makeup

Disclosing the measures on this week, the American treasury stated the operation was mostly comprised of Colombian citizens and firms.

Numerous of ex-soldiers from Colombia have allegedly journeyed to Sudan to operate with the Sudanese RSF militia, a faction linked to severe violations including massacres based on ethnicity and large-scale abductions.

Revelation of Role

The involvement of Colombian fighters initially emerged in 2024, following an report which revealed that over three hundred retired troops had been hired to participate in the war – an revelation that led to an rare mea culpa from Colombia’s foreign ministry.

Colombian ex-soldiers have widely regarded as among the world’s most sought-after mercenaries due to their vast combat experience acquired during a long-running domestic war, knowledge of Nato equipment, and elite military instruction.

Activities in Sudan

In Sudan, the contractors have been accused of teaching minors, taught fighters to pilot drones, and participated in direct battles. One source previously stated that training children was "horrific and irrational" but commented that "unfortunately that’s how war is".

Sanctioned Individuals

Among those penalized was Álvaro Andrés Quijano Becerra, a citizen of both Colombia and Italy and retired Colombian military officer located in the Dubai. The Treasury accused him a key part in recruiting and deploying former Colombian soldiers to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Oliveros, was also sanctioned.

Also on the restricted list was Mateo Andrés Duque Botero, a dual national who the Treasury stated managed a business implicated in managing finances and payments for the recruitment operation. "In 2024 and 2025, companies in the United States linked to Duque conducted several money transfers, worth millions," the official announcement noted.

Citizen of Colombia Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the fourth individual to be targeted, with the entity she oversaw alleged to have money transfers connected to Duque and his businesses.

"The United States again calls on outside forces to stop giving funding and arms to the belligerents," the department stated.

Reaction

Elizabeth Dickinson, from a conflict think tank, labeled the measures as a "major" milestone, stating that "calling out those who are doing the contracting is the right way to go".

Furthermore, Bogotá has enacted a law ratifying the global treaty against mercenarism, aiming to curb decades of Colombian involvement in international fights and transform its security approach.

A mercenary specialist, a scholar on the subject, urged more caution, stating that "sanctions are necessary but insufficient for combating the growing mercenary trade".

"It’s an illicit economy and operating from the Emirates, which is largely insulated from sanctions," he said. The United Arab Emirates has been frequently alleged of arming the RSF, claims it rejects. "Expect more Colombian mercenaries," he advised.