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The US government has enforced penalties on a network of several persons and entities accused of enlisting Colombian mercenaries to fight for and train a armed faction in Sudan that Washington accuses of committing genocide.

Group Makeup

Revealing the measures on Tuesday, the Treasury stated the operation was mostly comprised of Colombian nationals and companies.

Hundreds of retired Colombian troops have reportedly travelled to Sudan to fight alongside the RSF paramilitary group, a group accused of horrific war crimes encompassing targeted ethnic killings and mass abductions.

Emergence of Involvement

The involvement of Colombian fighters first came to light the previous year, after an report which found that more than 300 retired troops had been contracted to fight – an discovery that led to an unusual statement of regret from the Colombian government.

Former Colombian military have widely regarded as some of the most in-demand contractors globally due to their extensive battlefield experience acquired during a long-running domestic war, training on Western military gear, and superior tactical education.

Reported Actions

In the Sudanese theater, the mercenaries have been accused of teaching child soldiers, provided drone warfare training, and participated in direct battles. A mercenary remarked that instructing minors was "horrific and irrational" but added that "sadly, that is the nature of conflict".

Sanctioned Individuals

Among those sanctioned was Álvaro Andrés Quijano Becerra, a citizen of both Colombia and Italy and retired Colombian military officer operating from the UAE. The US authorities accused him a central role in recruiting and deploying former Colombian soldiers to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was penalized as well.

Also on the sanctions list was Duque Botero, a dual Colombian-Spanish citizen who officials alleged ran a firm linked to managing finances and payments for the network. "In 2024 and 2025, US-based firms linked to Duque carried out numerous wire transfers, totalling millions of US dollars," the official announcement said.

Individual Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the other individual to be penalized, with the firm she operated accused of wire transfers connected to Duque and his businesses.

"The US once more urges outside forces to cease providing monetary and weaponry aid to the warring parties," the agency announced.

Reaction

Elizabeth Dickinson, senior analyst at the International Crisis Group, described the actions as a "highly important" development, noting that "calling out those who are doing the contracting is the proper strategy".

It was also noted that, the Colombian government recently passed a law endorsing the anti-mercenary convention, seeking to reduce its citizens' long history in overseas wars and reshape national security policy.

Sean McFate, an expert on mercenaries, advised additional measures, saying that "sanctions are necessary but insufficient for combating rampant mercenarism".

"This is a shadow economy and operating from Dubai, which is largely insulated from sanctions," he commented. The Emirati government has been frequently alleged of providing arms to the militia, claims it rejects. "This trend will probably continue," the expert cautioned.