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The Washington has enforced penalties on a network of four people and four firms alleged of recruiting former Colombian soldiers to combat alongside and instruct a militia force in Sudan that Washington accuses of genocidal acts.

Network Composition

Revealing the measures on this week, the Treasury stated the scheme was largely composed of Colombian nationals and companies.

Scores of retired Colombian troops have allegedly journeyed to the Sudanese warzone to combat beside the RSF paramilitary group, a force accused of severe violations such as ethnically targeted slaughter and widespread kidnappings.

Emergence of Involvement

The involvement of Colombian fighters first came to light the previous year, following an investigation which revealed that hundreds of ex-military personnel had been hired to engage in combat – an discovery that resulted in an unusual statement of regret from the Colombian government.

These South American veterans have long been considered as some of the most in-demand contractors globally due to their vast combat experience acquired during years of internal conflict, training on Western military gear, and high-level combat training.

Role in the Conflict

In Sudan, the contractors have allegedly instructed child soldiers, provided drone warfare training, and fought directly on the frontlines. An individual involved remarked that working with child soldiers was "horrific and irrational" but added that "regrettably, war operates that way".

Targeted Persons

Among those penalized was Álvaro Andrés Quijano Becerra, a dual Colombian-Italian national and ex-soldier operating from the Dubai. The US authorities accused him a central role in enlisting and transporting ex-military personnel to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Oliveros, was similarly targeted.

Also on the penalty list was Mateo Andrés Duque Botero, a dual Colombian-Spanish citizen who the Treasury stated ran a firm linked to processing money and salaries for the network. "In 2024 and 2025, American entities associated with Duque conducted numerous wire transfers, amounting to millions," the government release stated.

Citizen of Colombia Mónica Muñoz was the other individual to be penalized, with the firm she operated said to have conducted financial transactions linked to Duque and his businesses.

"The US once more urges foreign parties to stop giving funding and arms to the combatants," the department stated.

Reaction

A senior analyst, senior analyst at the International Crisis Group, described the measures as a "very significant" step, noting that "targeting the enablers is the correct approach".

Furthermore, Bogotá ratified a law endorsing the global treaty against mercenarism, aiming to curb decades of Colombian involvement in foreign conflicts and reshape national security policy.

Sean McFate, a authority on private military contractors, called for greater wariness, noting that "sanctions are necessary but insufficient for dealing with rampant mercenarism".

"It’s an illicit economy and based out of Dubai, which is difficult to penalize," he said. The United Arab Emirates has been repeatedly implicated of arming the RSF, allegations it disputes. "More contractors from Colombia are likely," the expert cautioned.