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The US government has enforced penalties on a group of several persons and entities charged of recruiting former Colombian soldiers to combat alongside and instruct a armed faction in Sudan the United States claims of acts of genocide.

Group Makeup

Revealing the sanctions on Tuesday, the Treasury stated the operation was largely composed of Colombian nationals and companies.

Hundreds of former Colombian military personnel have allegedly journeyed to Sudan to fight alongside the RSF paramilitary group, a group linked to severe violations encompassing targeted ethnic killings and large-scale abductions.

Discovery of Participation

The participation of ex-soldiers first came to light last year, following an report which disclosed that over three hundred ex-military personnel had been recruited to participate in the war – an revelation that resulted in an unusual statement of regret from Colombia’s foreign ministry.

Former Colombian military have long been considered as highly prized fighters in conflict zones due to their considerable warzone knowledge gleaned from a long-running domestic war, knowledge of advanced weaponry, and elite military instruction.

Role in the Conflict

In the Sudanese theater, the Colombians have allegedly instructed child soldiers, provided drone warfare training, and fought directly on the frontlines. A mercenary remarked that instructing minors was "terrible and insane" but commented that "sadly, that is the nature of conflict".

Named Entities

Among those sanctioned was Álvaro Andrés Quijano Becerra, a individual with dual citizenship and retired Colombian military officer located in the UAE. The US authorities said he had a central role in hiring and sending ex-military personnel to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was also sanctioned.

Also on the sanctions list was Mateo Duque Botero, a dual Colombian-Spanish citizen who the Treasury stated oversaw a company linked to managing finances and payments for the scheme. "In 2024 and 2025, companies in the United States linked to Duque carried out several money transfers, amounting to millions," the government release said.

Individual Mónica Muñoz was the fourth individual to be penalized, with the company she managed accused of financial transactions connected to Duque and his operations.

"The United States again calls on foreign parties to halt the flow of financial and military support to the warring parties," the department stated.

Expert Analysis

A senior analyst, from a conflict think tank, labeled the actions as a "very significant" milestone, saying that "calling out those who are doing the contracting is the proper strategy".

Furthermore, Colombia has enacted a law endorsing the global treaty against mercenarism, seeking to reduce decades of Colombian involvement in overseas wars and change domestic defense strategy.

Another expert, a scholar on the subject, advised additional measures, noting that "sanctions are necessary but insufficient for combating the growing mercenary trade".

"It’s an illicit economy and based out of the Emirates, which is largely insulated from sanctions," he stated. The Emirati government has been frequently alleged of providing arms to the militia, allegations it disputes. "More contractors from Colombia are likely," the expert cautioned.