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The United States has enforced penalties on a operation of several persons and entities alleged of hiring former Colombian soldiers to fight for and train a militia force in Sudan that Washington accuses of acts of genocide.

Operation Structure

Revealing the measures on this week, the US Treasury Department stated the network was mostly comprised of individuals and businesses from Colombia.

Hundreds of former Colombian military personnel have reportedly travelled to the Sudanese warzone to fight alongside the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a force implicated in severe violations such as targeted ethnic killings and mass abductions.

Discovery of Participation

The role of these mercenaries first came to light last year, following an report which disclosed that more than 300 retired troops had been contracted to fight – an event that led to an unprecedented apology from officials in Bogotá.

These South American veterans have historically been seen as highly prized fighters in conflict zones due to their extensive battlefield experience acquired during a long-running domestic war, familiarity with Nato equipment, and elite military instruction.

Role in the Conflict

In the conflict, the Colombians have allegedly instructed minors, taught fighters to pilot drones, and participated in direct battles. A mercenary previously stated that training children was "horrific and irrational" but commented that "unfortunately that’s how war is".

Targeted Persons

Among those sanctioned was Álvaro Andrés Quijano Becerra, a citizen of both Colombia and Italy and ex-soldier located in the UAE. The government said he had a pivotal function in hiring and sending ex-military personnel to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was similarly targeted.

Also on the sanctions list was Mateo Andrés Duque Botero, a dual Colombian-Spanish citizen who officials alleged ran a firm linked to handling funds and payroll for the network. "In 2024 and 2025, US-based firms associated with Duque carried out several money transfers, worth millions," the government release stated.

Citizen of Colombia Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the other individual to be penalized, with the company she managed accused of wire transfers associated with Duque and his operations.

"The United States again calls on external actors to cease providing financial and military support to the belligerents," the Treasury stated.

Reaction

A senior analyst, senior analyst at the International Crisis Group, called the measures as a "highly important" milestone, saying that "targeting the enablers is the correct approach".

It was also noted that, Bogotá recently passed a piece of legislation approving the International Convention Against the Recruitment and Use of Mercenaries, aiming to curb its citizens' long history in overseas wars and reshape its security approach.

Sean McFate, a scholar on the subject, advised additional measures, noting that "sanctions are necessary but insufficient for combating the growing mercenary trade".

"It operates in the black market and centered in Dubai, which is relatively sanction-proof," he said. The Emirati government has been frequently alleged of supplying weapons to the paramilitary group, allegations it disputes. "This trend will probably continue," McFate warned.