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The Washington has levied restrictions on a network of several persons and entities alleged of enlisting Colombian mercenaries to support and educate a militia force in Sudan that Washington accuses of genocidal acts.

Network Composition

Disclosing the measures on this week, the American treasury stated the scheme was largely composed of Colombian citizens and firms.

Scores of former Colombian military personnel have been recruited to go to the Sudanese warzone to combat beside the RSF paramilitary group, a faction linked to horrific war crimes such as massacres based on ethnicity and large-scale abductions.

Discovery of Participation

The involvement of Colombian fighters initially emerged in 2024, after an investigation which found that over three hundred former soldiers had been contracted to fight – an discovery that led to an unprecedented apology from the Colombian government.

Former Colombian military have widely regarded as highly prized fighters in conflict zones due to their considerable warzone knowledge gleaned from years of internal conflict, training on Western military gear, and elite military instruction.

Role in the Conflict

In Sudan, the mercenaries have reportedly trained minors, taught fighters to pilot drones, and fought directly on the frontlines. One source remarked that instructing minors was "awful and crazy" but added that "unfortunately that’s how war is".

Targeted Persons

Among those sanctioned was Álvaro Andrés Quijano Becerra, a dual Colombian-Italian national and ex-soldier based in the UAE. The US authorities said he had a key part in hiring and sending former Colombian soldiers to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Oliveros, was similarly targeted.

Also on the restricted list was Duque Botero, a dual national who authorities say oversaw a company accused of managing finances and payments for the scheme. "In 2024 and 2025, US-based firms linked to Duque conducted several money transfers, worth millions," the Treasury statement said.

Citizen of Colombia Mónica Muñoz was the final person to be targeted, with the firm she operated alleged to have wire transfers associated with Duque and his operations.

"Washington reiterates its demand for outside forces to cease providing funding and arms to the combatants," the agency stated.

Expert Analysis

An expert, from a conflict think tank, described the measures as a "highly important" development, stating that "targeting the enablers is the right way to go".

She added that, Bogotá ratified a piece of legislation ratifying the anti-mercenary convention, seeking to reduce decades of Colombian involvement in overseas wars and reshape domestic defense strategy.

Sean McFate, a scholar on the subject, called for greater wariness, stating that "sanctions are necessary but insufficient for dealing with the growing mercenary trade".

"It operates in the black market and operating from the UAE, which is relatively sanction-proof," he said. The Emirati government has been frequently alleged of supplying weapons to the paramilitary group, an accusation it has denied. "This trend will probably continue," he advised.