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The US government has levied restrictions on a group of four people and four firms accused of recruiting Colombian mercenaries to support and educate a armed faction in Sudan the United States claims of genocidal acts.

Operation Structure

Announcing the measures on this week, the American treasury stated the network was mostly comprised of Colombian nationals and companies.

Numerous of retired Colombian troops have allegedly journeyed to the conflict in Sudan to operate with the Sudanese RSF militia, a force linked to terrible atrocities encompassing ethnically targeted slaughter and widespread kidnappings.

Emergence of Involvement

The involvement of Colombian fighters initially emerged last year, following an inquiry which revealed that over three hundred ex-military personnel had been contracted to engage in combat – an event that led to an unprecedented apology from officials in Bogotá.

Former Colombian military have widely regarded as some of the most in-demand contractors globally due to their extensive battlefield experience gleaned from a long-running domestic war, familiarity with Western military gear, and high-level combat training.

Reported Actions

In Sudan, the mercenaries have reportedly trained child soldiers, instructed militiamen in drone operation, and participated in direct battles. A mercenary previously stated that instructing minors was "horrific and irrational" but commented that "unfortunately that’s how war is".

Sanctioned Individuals

Among those penalized was Álvaro Andrés Quijano Becerra, a citizen of both Colombia and Italy and ex-soldier located in the UAE. The government accused him a pivotal function in enlisting and transporting former Colombian soldiers to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Oliveros, was also sanctioned.

Also on the sanctions list was Mateo Andrés Duque Botero, a dual national who authorities say oversaw a company implicated in managing finances and payments for the network. "In 2024 and 2025, companies in the United States associated with Duque conducted multiple financial transactions, totalling millions of US dollars," the government release stated.

Colombian national Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the fourth individual to be targeted, with the company she managed alleged to have wire transfers associated with Duque and his companies.

"The United States again calls on external actors to stop giving monetary and weaponry aid to the warring parties," the department announced.

Analyst Commentary

Elizabeth Dickinson, with the International Crisis Group, described the sanctions as a "major" milestone, stating that "identifying the recruiters is the right way to go".

It was also noted that, Colombia recently passed a law ratifying the anti-mercenary convention, seeking to reduce years of participation by its nationals in foreign conflicts and reshape domestic defense strategy.

A mercenary specialist, a scholar on the subject, advised additional measures, stating that "restrictions are needed but not enough for addressing the growing mercenary trade".

"This is a shadow economy and based out of Dubai, which is difficult to penalize," he said. The United Arab Emirates has been frequently alleged of supplying weapons to the paramilitary group, allegations it disputes. "This trend will probably continue," McFate warned.