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The US government has imposed sanctions on a group of four individuals and four companies alleged of recruiting Colombian mercenaries to combat alongside and instruct a militia force in Sudan the United States claims of committing genocide.

Operation Structure

Disclosing the restrictions on Tuesday, the American treasury stated the scheme was mostly comprised of Colombian nationals and companies.

Scores of former Colombian military personnel have been recruited to go to the Sudanese warzone to operate with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a faction linked to terrible atrocities such as massacres based on ethnicity and mass abductions.

Revelation of Role

The role of these mercenaries first came to light in 2024, after an investigation which disclosed that more than 300 retired troops had been hired to engage in combat – an event that prompted an unusual statement of regret from officials in Bogotá.

Former Colombian military have long been considered as some of the most in-demand contractors globally due to their vast combat experience acquired during decades of civil war, familiarity with Nato equipment, and elite military instruction.

Activities in Sudan

In the Sudanese theater, the contractors have been accused of teaching underage fighters, provided drone warfare training, and fought directly on the frontlines. A mercenary previously stated that working with child soldiers was "terrible and insane" but commented that "sadly, that is the nature of conflict".

Sanctioned Individuals

Among those sanctioned was Álvaro Andrés Quijano Becerra, a individual with dual citizenship and former army officer operating from the Dubai. The government said he had a pivotal function in recruiting and deploying former Colombian soldiers to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Oliveros, was also sanctioned.

Also on the restricted list was Duque Botero, a individual with Colombian and Spanish citizenship who officials alleged ran a firm linked to handling funds and payroll for the recruitment operation. "In 2024 and 2025, American entities associated with Duque carried out multiple financial transactions, amounting to millions," the official announcement stated.

Colombian national Mónica Muñoz was the other individual to be penalized, with the firm she operated accused of money transfers associated with Duque and his businesses.

"Washington reiterates its demand for outside forces to halt the flow of funding and arms to the combatants," the Treasury said in a statement.

Expert Analysis

An expert, senior analyst at the International Crisis Group, labeled the sanctions as a "very significant" step, stating that "identifying the recruiters is the correct approach".

She added that, the Colombian government has enacted a statute ratifying the International Convention Against the Recruitment and Use of Mercenaries, designed to limit years of participation by its nationals in international fights and change its security approach.

Another expert, a scholar on the subject, urged more caution, stating that "penalties are required yet incomplete for combating widespread use of contractors".

"It’s an illicit economy and operating from Dubai, which is largely insulated from sanctions," he commented. The UAE has been frequently alleged of arming the RSF, an accusation it has denied. "More contractors from Colombia are likely," McFate warned.