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The Washington has enforced penalties on a operation of four individuals and four companies alleged of enlisting Colombian mercenaries to support and educate a militia force in Sudan the United States claims of genocidal acts.

Network Composition

Announcing the sanctions on this week, the American treasury stated the operation was primarily made up of Colombian nationals and companies.

Numerous of retired Colombian troops have been recruited to go to Sudan to combat beside the Sudanese RSF militia, a faction implicated in terrible atrocities such as targeted ethnic killings and large-scale abductions.

Discovery of Participation

The involvement of Colombian fighters was first uncovered last year, prompted by an inquiry which found that more than 300 retired troops had been hired to participate in the war – an event that led to an unprecedented apology from Colombia’s foreign ministry.

Former Colombian military have long been considered as highly prized fighters in conflict zones due to their vast combat experience acquired during years of internal conflict, familiarity with Nato equipment, and superior tactical education.

Role in the Conflict

In Sudan, the mercenaries have reportedly trained minors, instructed militiamen in drone operation, and participated in direct battles. A mercenary previously stated that working with child soldiers was "horrific and irrational" but commented that "regrettably, war operates that way".

Targeted Persons

Among those targeted was Álvaro Andrés Quijano Becerra, a dual Colombian-Italian national and former army officer located in the United Arab Emirates. The Treasury alleged he played a pivotal function in enlisting and transporting ex-military personnel to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was penalized as well.

Also on the restricted list was Mateo Duque Botero, a dual Colombian-Spanish citizen who the Treasury stated oversaw a company implicated in managing finances and payments for the network. "In 2024 and 2025, American entities linked to Duque engaged in numerous wire transfers, amounting to millions," the government release noted.

Citizen of Colombia Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the fourth individual to be penalized, with the firm she operated said to have conducted financial transactions connected to Duque and his companies.

"The US once more urges outside forces to stop giving monetary and weaponry aid to the belligerents," the Treasury stated.

Reaction

A senior analyst, from a conflict think tank, called the actions as a "very significant" milestone, noting that "identifying the recruiters is the proper strategy".

Furthermore, Colombia ratified a law approving the International Convention Against the Recruitment and Use of Mercenaries, seeking to reduce its citizens' long history in international fights and transform national security policy.

Sean McFate, a authority on private military contractors, advised additional measures, stating that "restrictions are needed but not enough for dealing with the growing mercenary trade".

"It’s an illicit economy and centered in the Emirates, which is difficult to penalize," he commented. The UAE has been widely accused of supplying weapons to the paramilitary group, claims it rejects. "More contractors from Colombia are likely," the expert cautioned.