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The United States has enforced penalties on a group of four people and four firms charged of enlisting former Colombian soldiers to support and educate a armed faction in Sudan which the US alleges of genocidal acts.

Group Makeup

Disclosing the restrictions on this week, the American treasury stated the operation was primarily made up of individuals and businesses from Colombia.

Numerous of ex-soldiers from Colombia have been recruited to go to Sudan to combat beside the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a force linked to severe violations such as targeted ethnic killings and mass abductions.

Revelation of Role

The involvement of Colombian fighters initially emerged the previous year, following an report which disclosed that hundreds of ex-military personnel had been contracted to participate in the war – an event that led to an unusual statement of regret from Colombia’s foreign ministry.

These South American veterans have widely regarded as highly prized fighters in conflict zones due to their vast combat experience acquired during decades of civil war, familiarity with Western military gear, and elite military instruction.

Reported Actions

In Sudan, the mercenaries have been accused of teaching underage fighters, taught fighters to pilot drones, and fought directly on the frontlines. One source remarked that working with child soldiers was "awful and crazy" but noted that "regrettably, war operates that way".

Targeted Persons

Among those penalized was Álvaro Andrés Quijano Becerra, a dual Colombian-Italian national and former army officer based in the Dubai. The US authorities said he had a key part in hiring and sending former Colombian soldiers to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Oliveros, was similarly targeted.

Also on the restricted list was Mateo Andrés Duque Botero, a dual national who the Treasury stated managed a business linked to processing money and salaries for the scheme. "In 2024 and 2025, companies in the United States linked to Duque carried out numerous wire transfers, amounting to millions," the official announcement said.

Citizen of Colombia Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the final person to be sanctioned, with the company she managed accused of financial transactions connected to Duque and his operations.

"The US once more urges foreign parties to cease providing funding and arms to the combatants," the Treasury announced.

Analyst Commentary

Elizabeth Dickinson, with the International Crisis Group, called the sanctions as a "highly important" milestone, noting that "targeting the enablers is the proper strategy".

It was also noted that, the Colombian government has enacted a statute approving the International Convention Against the Recruitment and Use of Mercenaries, seeking to reduce years of participation by its nationals in foreign conflicts and transform national security policy.

A mercenary specialist, a authority on private military contractors, called for greater wariness, stating that "penalties are required yet incomplete for dealing with widespread use of contractors".

"It’s an illicit economy and based out of Dubai, which is difficult to penalize," he commented. The Emirati government has been repeatedly implicated of arming the RSF, claims it rejects. "Expect more Colombian mercenaries," the expert cautioned.