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The United States has levied restrictions on a group of several persons and entities accused of recruiting South American contractors to fight for and train a Sudanese paramilitary group that Washington accuses of genocidal acts.

Group Makeup

Revealing the sanctions on this week, the American treasury stated the operation was primarily made up of Colombian citizens and firms.

Numerous of former Colombian military personnel have reportedly travelled to the Sudanese warzone to operate with the Sudanese RSF militia, a faction accused of horrific war crimes including massacres based on ethnicity and widespread kidnappings.

Emergence of Involvement

The participation of ex-soldiers was first uncovered in 2024, prompted by an investigation which revealed that over three hundred former soldiers had been recruited to engage in combat – an revelation that resulted in an unusual statement of regret from the Colombian government.

These South American veterans have historically been seen as among the world’s most sought-after mercenaries due to their vast combat experience acquired during years of internal conflict, familiarity with advanced weaponry, and superior tactical education.

Reported Actions

In the Sudanese theater, the Colombians have reportedly trained child soldiers, taught fighters to pilot drones, and participated in direct battles. A mercenary previously stated that working with child soldiers was "terrible and insane" but added that "unfortunately that’s how war is".

Named Entities

Among those sanctioned was Álvaro Andrés Quijano Becerra, a dual Colombian-Italian national and retired Colombian military officer located in the Dubai. The US authorities alleged he played a central role in recruiting and deploying mercenaries to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was similarly targeted.

Also on the restricted list was Mateo Duque Botero, a dual Colombian-Spanish citizen who officials alleged oversaw a company accused of managing finances and payments for the scheme. "Recently, companies in the United States connected to Duque carried out multiple financial transactions, totalling millions of US dollars," the Treasury statement noted.

Colombian national Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the final person to be sanctioned, with the firm she operated alleged to have wire transfers linked to Duque and his companies.

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

Reaction

Elizabeth Dickinson, from a conflict think tank, described the sanctions as a "very significant" milestone, stating that "calling out those who are doing the contracting is the right way to go".

It was also noted that, Colombia ratified a law endorsing the International Convention Against the Recruitment and Use of Mercenaries, designed to limit years of participation by its nationals in international fights and transform national security policy.

Another expert, a authority on private military contractors, called for greater wariness, stating that "penalties are required yet incomplete for combating rampant mercenarism".

"This is a shadow economy and centered in the UAE, which is difficult to penalize," he stated. The Emirati government has been frequently alleged of arming the RSF, claims it rejects. "This trend will probably continue," he advised.