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The US government has levied restrictions on a operation of four individuals and four companies charged of enlisting South American contractors to combat alongside and instruct a militia force in Sudan which the US alleges of committing genocide.

Network Composition

Disclosing the sanctions on Tuesday, the American treasury stated the scheme was mostly comprised of individuals and businesses from Colombia.

Numerous of ex-soldiers from Colombia have allegedly journeyed to Sudan to fight alongside the RSF paramilitary group, a faction accused of horrific war crimes encompassing targeted ethnic killings and mass abductions.

Discovery of Participation

The participation of ex-soldiers initially emerged in 2024, prompted by an investigation which found that hundreds of ex-military personnel had been contracted to engage in combat – an discovery that resulted in an unprecedented apology from Colombia’s foreign ministry.

Former Colombian military have widely regarded as highly prized fighters in conflict zones due to their considerable warzone knowledge resulting from decades of civil war, familiarity with advanced weaponry, and high-level combat training.

Reported Actions

In Sudan, the Colombians have reportedly trained child soldiers, instructed militiamen in drone operation, and participated in direct battles. One source remarked that instructing minors was "terrible and insane" but noted that "sadly, that is the nature of conflict".

Sanctioned Individuals

Among those sanctioned was Álvaro Andrés Quijano Becerra, a individual with dual citizenship and ex-soldier based in the UAE. The Treasury said he had a central role in recruiting and deploying mercenaries to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was penalized as well.

Also on the sanctions list was Duque Botero, a dual national who the Treasury stated oversaw a company implicated in handling funds and payroll for the recruitment operation. "Recently, US-based firms linked to Duque engaged in multiple financial transactions, totalling millions of US dollars," the official announcement noted.

Colombian national Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the other individual to be sanctioned, with the firm she operated alleged to have wire transfers linked to Duque and his operations.

"The US once more urges foreign parties to cease providing financial and military support to the warring parties," the department stated.

Reaction

A senior analyst, from a conflict think tank, described the measures as a "very significant" step, saying that "targeting the enablers is the proper strategy".

She added that, Bogotá recently passed a law ratifying the anti-mercenary convention, designed to limit years of participation by its nationals in international fights and transform national security policy.

A mercenary specialist, a authority on private military contractors, urged more caution, saying that "restrictions are needed but not enough for dealing with rampant mercenarism".

"It’s an illicit economy and centered in the Emirates, which is largely insulated from sanctions," he commented. The UAE has been frequently alleged of supplying weapons to the paramilitary group, allegations it disputes. "Expect more Colombian mercenaries," he advised.