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The United States has imposed sanctions on a network of several persons and entities accused of enlisting former Colombian soldiers to fight for and train a Sudanese paramilitary group which the US alleges of acts of genocide.

Operation Structure

Announcing the measures on this week, the US Treasury Department stated the network was mostly comprised of Colombian citizens and firms.

Hundreds of retired Colombian troops have been recruited to go to the Sudanese warzone to operate with the Sudanese RSF militia, a faction linked to horrific war crimes encompassing massacres based on ethnicity and widespread kidnappings.

Revelation of Role

The involvement of Colombian fighters first came to light in 2024, after an inquiry which found that over three hundred ex-military personnel had been hired to engage in combat – an revelation that resulted in an unprecedented apology from the Colombian government.

These South American veterans have widely regarded as among the world’s most sought-after mercenaries due to their considerable warzone knowledge acquired during decades of civil war, knowledge of advanced weaponry, and superior tactical education.

Activities in Sudan

In Sudan, the Colombians have been accused of teaching child soldiers, instructed militiamen in drone operation, and participated in direct battles. An individual involved previously stated that instructing minors was "horrific and irrational" but added that "unfortunately that’s how war is".

Targeted Persons

Among those sanctioned was Álvaro Andrés Quijano Becerra, a dual Colombian-Italian national and ex-soldier based in the United Arab Emirates. The Treasury said he had a key part in hiring and sending mercenaries to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Oliveros, was similarly targeted.

Also on the penalty list was Mateo Andrés Duque Botero, a individual with Colombian and Spanish citizenship who officials alleged ran a firm implicated in handling funds and payroll for the network. "Recently, companies in the United States associated with Duque carried out numerous wire transfers, amounting to millions," the official announcement said.

Colombian national Mónica Muñoz was the other individual to be penalized, with the entity she oversaw alleged to have wire transfers connected to Duque and his operations.

"The US once more urges external actors to stop giving funding and arms to the combatants," the agency stated.

Expert Analysis

An expert, from a conflict think tank, called the measures as a "major" step, stating that "calling out those who are doing the contracting is the correct approach".

She added that, Bogotá ratified a piece of legislation approving the International Convention Against the Recruitment and Use of Mercenaries, seeking to reduce its citizens' long history in international fights and transform national security policy.

Another expert, a scholar on the subject, called for greater wariness, saying that "penalties are required yet incomplete for combating widespread use of contractors".

"It’s an illicit economy and centered in the Emirates, which is relatively sanction-proof," he commented. The UAE has been repeatedly implicated of providing arms to the militia, allegations it disputes. "This trend will probably continue," the expert cautioned.