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The US government has levied restrictions on a operation of four people and four firms charged of recruiting former Colombian soldiers to fight for and train a armed faction in Sudan that Washington accuses of committing genocide.

Group Makeup

Disclosing the restrictions on Tuesday, the American treasury stated the network was primarily made up of Colombian citizens and firms.

Scores of ex-soldiers from Colombia have been recruited to go to the Sudanese warzone to fight alongside the Sudanese RSF militia, a faction accused of terrible atrocities including ethnically targeted slaughter and large-scale abductions.

Revelation of Role

The role of these mercenaries was first uncovered in 2024, prompted by an investigation which found that hundreds of ex-military personnel had been hired to fight – an discovery that resulted in an unprecedented apology from the Colombian government.

Former Colombian military have widely regarded as among the world’s most sought-after mercenaries due to their vast combat experience resulting from years of internal conflict, knowledge of Nato equipment, and superior tactical education.

Activities in Sudan

In Sudan, the Colombians have allegedly instructed underage fighters, instructed militiamen in drone operation, and fought directly on the frontlines. A mercenary remarked that instructing minors was "horrific and irrational" but added that "sadly, that is the nature of conflict".

Named Entities

Among those sanctioned was Álvaro Andrés Quijano Becerra, a dual Colombian-Italian national and ex-soldier located in the Dubai. The Treasury accused him a key part in hiring and sending former Colombian soldiers to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Oliveros, was similarly targeted.

Also on the penalty list was Mateo Duque Botero, a individual with Colombian and Spanish citizenship who the Treasury stated ran a firm accused of handling funds and payroll for the recruitment operation. "Over the past two years, companies in the United States associated with Duque carried out numerous wire transfers, amounting to millions," the government release said.

Individual Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the final person to be targeted, with the firm she operated accused of wire transfers associated with Duque and his operations.

"The United States again calls on foreign parties to cease providing monetary and weaponry aid to the combatants," the department said in a statement.

Expert Analysis

A senior analyst, with the International Crisis Group, described the measures as a "major" milestone, stating that "identifying the recruiters is the proper strategy".

Furthermore, Colombia ratified a piece of legislation approving the International Convention Against the Recruitment and Use of Mercenaries, seeking to reduce decades of Colombian involvement in overseas wars and reshape national security policy.

Another expert, an expert on mercenaries, advised additional measures, noting that "sanctions are necessary but insufficient for dealing with the growing mercenary trade".

"It’s an illicit economy and operating from the Emirates, which is relatively sanction-proof," he stated. The United Arab Emirates has been frequently alleged of supplying weapons to the paramilitary group, claims it rejects. "This trend will probably continue," the expert cautioned.