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The US government has levied restrictions on a group of several persons and entities alleged of hiring South American contractors to combat alongside and instruct a militia force in Sudan that Washington accuses of acts of genocide.

Operation Structure

Announcing the measures on this week, the Treasury stated the operation was primarily made up of individuals and businesses from Colombia.

Hundreds of retired Colombian troops have reportedly travelled to the Sudanese warzone to fight alongside the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a faction implicated in terrible atrocities including ethnically targeted slaughter and mass abductions.

Discovery of Participation

The role of these mercenaries first came to light last year, prompted by an investigation which revealed that over three hundred former soldiers had been contracted to engage in combat – an revelation that led to an unprecedented apology from the Colombian government.

These South American veterans have long been considered as highly prized fighters in conflict zones due to their vast combat experience gleaned from a long-running domestic war, knowledge of Nato equipment, and elite military instruction.

Role in the Conflict

In the Sudanese theater, the mercenaries have been accused of teaching child soldiers, instructed militiamen in drone operation, and fought directly on the frontlines. A mercenary was quoted as saying that training children was "terrible and insane" but commented that "sadly, that is the nature of conflict".

Named Entities

Among those sanctioned was Álvaro Andrés Quijano Becerra, a dual Colombian-Italian national and former army officer operating from the United Arab Emirates. The US authorities alleged he played a pivotal function in enlisting and transporting mercenaries to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Oliveros, was similarly targeted.

Also on the penalty list was Mateo Duque Botero, a dual Colombian-Spanish citizen who officials alleged oversaw a company implicated in handling funds and payroll for the scheme. "In 2024 and 2025, companies in the United States associated with Duque engaged in several money transfers, worth millions," the government release said.

Individual Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the fourth individual to be penalized, with the company she managed accused of wire transfers linked to Duque and his businesses.

"The US once more urges external actors to halt the flow of monetary and weaponry aid to the combatants," the agency said in a statement.

Reaction

Elizabeth Dickinson, senior analyst at the International Crisis Group, labeled the measures as a "very significant" development, noting that "identifying the recruiters is the right way to go".

It was also noted that, Colombia recently passed a piece of legislation ratifying the International Convention Against the Recruitment and Use of Mercenaries, aiming to curb years of participation by its nationals in foreign conflicts and change national security policy.

Another expert, a scholar on the subject, urged more caution, noting that "sanctions are necessary but insufficient for addressing the growing mercenary trade".

"It’s an illicit economy and centered in Dubai, which is difficult to penalize," he said. The UAE has been repeatedly implicated of providing arms to the militia, allegations it disputes. "This trend will probably continue," the expert cautioned.