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The US government has imposed sanctions on a network of four individuals and four companies charged of hiring Colombian mercenaries to support and educate a armed faction in Sudan which the US alleges of acts of genocide.

Network Composition

Revealing the sanctions on Tuesday, the US Treasury Department stated the operation was largely composed of Colombian citizens and firms.

Hundreds of retired Colombian troops have reportedly travelled to the Sudanese warzone to fight alongside the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a group accused of terrible atrocities such as ethnically targeted slaughter and mass abductions.

Discovery of Participation

The involvement of Colombian fighters first came to light last year, prompted by an report which revealed that over three hundred retired troops had been contracted to engage in combat – an event that resulted in an unusual statement of regret from officials in Bogotá.

Former Colombian military have widely regarded as highly prized fighters in conflict zones due to their considerable warzone knowledge gleaned from a long-running domestic war, knowledge of Nato equipment, and high-level combat training.

Role in the Conflict

In Sudan, the mercenaries have allegedly instructed underage fighters, taught fighters to pilot drones, and participated in direct battles. A mercenary remarked that working with child soldiers was "awful and crazy" but added that "regrettably, war operates that way".

Named Entities

Among those targeted was Álvaro Andrés Quijano Becerra, a individual with dual citizenship and retired Colombian military officer operating from the UAE. The US authorities accused him a central role in hiring and sending mercenaries to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was also sanctioned.

Also on the penalty list was Mateo Duque Botero, a individual with Colombian and Spanish citizenship who officials alleged managed a business linked to handling funds and payroll for the scheme. "In 2024 and 2025, American entities associated with Duque conducted several money transfers, amounting to millions," the government release stated.

Citizen of Colombia Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the fourth individual to be targeted, with the company she managed said to have conducted financial transactions linked to Duque and his businesses.

"The United States again calls on outside forces to halt the flow of monetary and weaponry aid to the warring parties," the Treasury said in a statement.

Expert Analysis

Elizabeth Dickinson, with the International Crisis Group, described the sanctions as a "major" step, stating that "targeting the enablers is the correct approach".

It was also noted that, Colombia has enacted a piece of legislation endorsing the global treaty against mercenarism, aiming to curb its citizens' long history in overseas wars and reshape domestic defense strategy.

Sean McFate, a scholar on the subject, urged more caution, stating that "penalties are required yet incomplete for addressing widespread use of contractors".

"It operates in the black market and operating from Dubai, which is difficult to penalize," he commented. The UAE has been frequently alleged of providing arms to the militia, an accusation it has denied. "More contractors from Colombia are likely," he advised.