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The Washington has imposed sanctions on a operation of four people and four firms accused of enlisting former Colombian soldiers to combat alongside and instruct a armed faction in Sudan which the US alleges of acts of genocide.

Operation Structure

Revealing the measures on Tuesday, the Treasury stated the network was mostly comprised 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 force implicated in severe violations encompassing targeted ethnic killings and widespread kidnappings.

Revelation of Role

The involvement of Colombian fighters first came to light the previous year, prompted by an inquiry which found that hundreds of former soldiers had been contracted to participate in the war – an event that resulted in an unusual statement of regret from the Colombian government.

These South American veterans have historically been seen as some of the most in-demand contractors globally due to their considerable warzone knowledge acquired during a long-running domestic war, knowledge of Nato equipment, and superior tactical education.

Activities in Sudan

In Sudan, the Colombians have been accused of teaching child soldiers, taught fighters to pilot drones, and engaged in frontline combat. One source remarked that training children was "terrible and insane" but commented that "sadly, that is the nature of conflict".

Named Entities

Among those targeted was Álvaro Andrés Quijano Becerra, a citizen of both Colombia and Italy and retired Colombian military officer located in the UAE. The government said he had a central role in hiring and sending mercenaries to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Oliveros, was penalized as well.

Also on the sanctions list was Duque Botero, a individual with Colombian and Spanish citizenship who authorities say managed a business linked to handling funds and payroll for the network. "In 2024 and 2025, companies in the United States linked to Duque conducted several money transfers, amounting to millions," the official announcement stated.

Individual Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the fourth individual to be sanctioned, with the company she managed accused of money transfers linked to Duque and his operations.

"The United States again calls on foreign parties to halt the flow of monetary and weaponry aid to the warring parties," the agency stated.

Expert Analysis

A senior analyst, with the International Crisis Group, called the sanctions as a "very significant" step, stating that "targeting the enablers is the correct approach".

She added that, Colombia has enacted a law approving the global treaty against mercenarism, seeking to reduce its citizens' long history in foreign conflicts and transform national security policy.

Sean McFate, a scholar on the subject, advised additional measures, saying that "restrictions are needed but not enough for addressing the growing mercenary trade".

"It operates in the black market and centered in the UAE, which is largely insulated from sanctions," he said. The UAE has been repeatedly implicated of supplying weapons to the paramilitary group, allegations it disputes. "This trend will probably continue," McFate warned.