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The US government has imposed sanctions on a operation of several persons and entities charged of enlisting Colombian mercenaries to support and educate a Sudanese paramilitary group that Washington accuses of acts of genocide.

Operation Structure

Announcing the measures on this week, the Treasury stated the operation was primarily made up of Colombian citizens and firms.

Hundreds of retired Colombian troops have reportedly travelled to the conflict in Sudan to combat beside the Sudanese RSF militia, a group accused of severe violations such as ethnically targeted slaughter and mass abductions.

Emergence of Involvement

The participation of ex-soldiers initially emerged in 2024, following an report which revealed that more than 300 ex-military personnel 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 among the world’s most sought-after mercenaries due to their vast combat experience acquired during years of internal conflict, familiarity with Western military gear, and superior tactical education.

Reported Actions

In the Sudanese theater, the mercenaries have reportedly trained minors, instructed militiamen in drone operation, and fought directly on the frontlines. An individual involved was quoted as saying that training children was "horrific and irrational" but noted that "sadly, that is the nature of conflict".

Targeted Persons

Among those sanctioned was Álvaro Andrés Quijano Becerra, a citizen of both Colombia and Italy and retired Colombian military officer based in the UAE. The Treasury alleged he played a key part in recruiting and deploying former Colombian soldiers to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Oliveros, was penalized as well.

Also on the sanctions list was Mateo Duque Botero, a individual with Colombian and Spanish citizenship who the Treasury stated ran a firm accused of processing money and salaries for the scheme. "Over the past two years, American entities connected to Duque engaged in several money transfers, totalling millions of US dollars," the Treasury statement noted.

Colombian national Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the other individual to be sanctioned, with the entity she oversaw accused of wire transfers connected to Duque and his businesses.

"The United States again calls on foreign parties to stop giving funding and arms to the combatants," the agency announced.

Reaction

Elizabeth Dickinson, with the International Crisis Group, labeled the sanctions as a "major" milestone, stating that "calling out those who are doing the contracting is the proper strategy".

It was also noted that, Colombia recently passed a statute approving the International Convention Against the Recruitment and Use of Mercenaries, aiming to curb years of participation by its nationals in international fights and change its security approach.

Sean McFate, an expert on mercenaries, urged more caution, stating that "sanctions are necessary but insufficient for combating the growing mercenary trade".

"This is a shadow economy and operating from Dubai, which is difficult to penalize," he said. The UAE has been frequently alleged of providing arms to the militia, claims it rejects. "Expect more Colombian mercenaries," the expert cautioned.