Washington Levies Restrictions on Group Accused of Funneling South American Fighters to Sudan.

The Washington has enforced penalties on a network of four people and four firms accused of enlisting Colombian mercenaries to combat alongside and instruct a armed faction in Sudan which the US alleges of acts of genocide.

Network Composition

Announcing the restrictions on this week, the American treasury stated the operation was largely composed of Colombian citizens and firms.

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

Discovery of Participation

The role of these mercenaries initially emerged in 2024, after an inquiry which disclosed that more than 300 retired troops had been contracted to participate in the war – an discovery that resulted in an unusual statement of regret from officials in Bogotá.

Former Colombian military have long been considered as some of the most in-demand contractors globally due to their extensive battlefield experience resulting from decades of civil war, training on Nato equipment, and high-level combat training.

Role in the Conflict

In the conflict, the contractors have allegedly instructed child soldiers, instructed militiamen in drone operation, and engaged in frontline combat. One source previously stated that working with child soldiers was "terrible and insane" but commented that "unfortunately that’s how war is".

Targeted Persons

Among those sanctioned was Álvaro Andrés Quijano Becerra, a citizen of both Colombia and Italy and former army officer based in the United Arab Emirates. The US authorities alleged he played a central role in recruiting and deploying former Colombian soldiers to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was similarly targeted.

Also on the restricted list was Mateo Andrés Duque Botero, a dual Colombian-Spanish citizen who officials alleged managed a business linked to managing finances and payments for the scheme. "Recently, US-based firms associated with Duque engaged in several money transfers, amounting to millions," the Treasury statement stated.

Individual Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the other individual to be targeted, with the entity she oversaw accused of financial transactions connected to Duque and his companies.

"Washington reiterates its demand for outside forces to cease providing funding and arms to the warring parties," the agency said in a statement.

Analyst Commentary

A senior analyst, with the International Crisis Group, described the measures as a "major" step, noting that "targeting the enablers is the proper strategy".

Furthermore, Bogotá ratified a statute ratifying the anti-mercenary convention, designed to limit years of participation by its nationals in foreign conflicts and change national security policy.

A mercenary specialist, an expert on mercenaries, urged more caution, noting that "restrictions are needed but not enough for addressing widespread use of contractors".

"This is a shadow economy and operating from the UAE, which is relatively sanction-proof," he commented. The Emirati government has been repeatedly implicated of supplying weapons to the paramilitary group, allegations it disputes. "Expect more Colombian mercenaries," the expert cautioned.