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The US government has levied restrictions on a network of several persons and entities accused of enlisting South American contractors to fight for and train a militia force in Sudan that Washington accuses of genocidal acts.

Operation Structure

Disclosing the sanctions on this week, the Treasury stated the network was primarily made up of Colombian nationals and companies.

Numerous of retired Colombian troops have been recruited to go to Sudan to combat beside the Sudanese RSF militia, a force accused of severe violations encompassing massacres based on ethnicity and large-scale abductions.

Discovery of Participation

The participation of ex-soldiers first came to light in 2024, following an report which disclosed that over three hundred former soldiers had been contracted to participate in the war – an discovery that led to an unusual statement of regret from the Colombian government.

Former Colombian military have widely regarded as highly prized fighters in conflict zones due to their considerable warzone knowledge gleaned from decades of civil war, familiarity with Western military gear, and elite military instruction.

Activities in Sudan

In Sudan, the Colombians have been accused of teaching child soldiers, provided drone warfare training, and participated in direct battles. A mercenary was quoted as saying that working with child soldiers was "horrific and irrational" but added that "sadly, that is the nature of conflict".

Named Entities

Among those sanctioned was Álvaro Andrés Quijano Becerra, a individual with dual citizenship and ex-soldier located in the United Arab Emirates. The government alleged he played a key part in recruiting and deploying former Colombian soldiers to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Oliveros, was similarly targeted.

Also on the sanctions list was Duque Botero, a dual Colombian-Spanish citizen who authorities say managed a business implicated in managing finances and payments for the scheme. "Over the past two years, companies in the United States connected to Duque conducted multiple financial transactions, worth millions," the Treasury statement said.

Citizen of Colombia Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the fourth individual to be targeted, with the firm she operated said to have conducted financial transactions associated with Duque and his operations.

"The US once more urges external actors to cease providing funding and arms to the warring parties," the department stated.

Expert Analysis

A senior analyst, from a conflict think tank, labeled the actions as a "highly important" development, noting that "identifying the recruiters is the proper strategy".

She added that, the Colombian government has enacted a statute endorsing the International Convention Against the Recruitment and Use of Mercenaries, aiming to curb years of participation by its nationals in international fights and reshape its security approach.

Another expert, an expert on mercenaries, urged more caution, stating that "penalties are required yet incomplete for addressing the growing mercenary trade".

"It operates in the black market and operating from Dubai, which is difficult to penalize," he said. The United Arab Emirates has been widely accused of supplying weapons to the paramilitary group, claims it rejects. "Expect more Colombian mercenaries," the expert cautioned.