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The United States has enforced penalties on a network of four people and four firms charged of recruiting Colombian mercenaries to fight for and train a Sudanese paramilitary group which the US alleges of genocidal acts.

Network Composition

Revealing the measures on this week, the American treasury stated the scheme was mostly comprised of Colombian citizens and firms.

Scores of former Colombian military personnel have been recruited to go 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.

Revelation of Role

The role of these mercenaries first came to light in 2024, following an report which disclosed that more than 300 retired troops had been contracted to fight – an revelation that resulted in an unprecedented apology from Colombia’s foreign ministry.

Colombian ex-soldiers have historically been seen as among the world’s most sought-after mercenaries due to their vast combat experience resulting from decades of civil war, training on Western military gear, and elite military instruction.

Activities in Sudan

In the Sudanese theater, the mercenaries have been accused of teaching underage fighters, instructed militiamen in drone operation, and engaged in frontline combat. One source was quoted as saying that instructing minors was "terrible and insane" but added that "unfortunately that’s how war is".

Sanctioned Individuals

Among those sanctioned was Álvaro Andrés Quijano Becerra, a citizen of both Colombia and Italy and former army officer located in the UAE. The Treasury alleged he played a central role in recruiting and deploying ex-military personnel to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was similarly targeted.

Also on the restricted list was Mateo Duque Botero, a individual with Colombian and Spanish citizenship who officials alleged oversaw a company accused of processing money and salaries for the recruitment operation. "In 2024 and 2025, companies in the United States linked to Duque carried out multiple financial transactions, totalling millions of US dollars," the Treasury statement said.

Citizen of Colombia Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the final person to be sanctioned, with the entity she oversaw said to have conducted wire transfers connected to Duque and his operations.

"Washington reiterates its demand for external actors to halt the flow of monetary and weaponry aid to the combatants," the department announced.

Analyst Commentary

A senior analyst, from a conflict think tank, labeled the actions as a "highly important" development, noting that "identifying the recruiters is the correct approach".

She added that, Colombia has enacted a statute approving the global treaty against mercenarism, designed to limit decades of Colombian involvement in international fights and transform domestic defense strategy.

Sean McFate, a scholar on the subject, advised additional measures, saying that "sanctions are necessary but insufficient for combating rampant mercenarism".

"It operates in the black market and based out of the UAE, which is difficult to penalize," he said. The UAE has been frequently alleged of providing arms to the militia, allegations it disputes. "More contractors from Colombia are likely," McFate warned.