Washington Levies Sanctions on Operation Accused of Funneling Colombian Contractors to the Sudanese Conflict.

The US government has enforced penalties on a network of four individuals and four companies alleged of hiring former Colombian soldiers to fight for and train a militia force in Sudan which the US alleges of genocidal acts.

Group Makeup

Announcing the sanctions on this week, the US Treasury Department stated the operation was primarily made up of Colombian nationals and companies.

Numerous of former Colombian military personnel have allegedly journeyed to Sudan to operate with the RSF paramilitary group, a group accused of severe violations such as targeted ethnic killings and large-scale abductions.

Emergence of Involvement

The participation of ex-soldiers was first uncovered last year, prompted by an report which disclosed that hundreds of former soldiers had been hired to participate in the war – an revelation that prompted an rare mea culpa from the Colombian government.

These South American veterans have widely regarded as some of the most in-demand contractors globally due to their vast combat experience resulting from years of internal conflict, familiarity with advanced weaponry, and high-level combat training.

Role in the Conflict

In the Sudanese theater, the Colombians have allegedly instructed minors, taught fighters to pilot drones, and fought directly on the frontlines. A mercenary remarked that working with child soldiers was "horrific and irrational" but added that "regrettably, war operates that way".

Targeted Persons

Among those sanctioned was Álvaro Andrés Quijano Becerra, a individual with dual citizenship and retired Colombian military officer operating from the Dubai. The US authorities alleged he played a central role in hiring and sending former Colombian soldiers to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was penalized as well.

Also on the penalty list was Mateo Andrés Duque Botero, a dual national who the Treasury stated managed a business accused of managing finances and payments for the network. "In 2024 and 2025, US-based firms linked to Duque carried out multiple financial transactions, amounting to millions," the official announcement noted.

Citizen of Colombia Mónica Muñoz was the other individual to be targeted, with the company she managed alleged to have wire transfers linked to Duque and his companies.

"The United States again calls on external actors to halt the flow of financial and military support to the belligerents," the agency stated.

Analyst Commentary

A senior analyst, from a conflict think tank, called the sanctions as a "major" milestone, noting that "calling out those who are doing the contracting is the proper strategy".

She added that, Colombia recently passed a piece of legislation ratifying the anti-mercenary convention, seeking to reduce decades of Colombian involvement in international fights and change its security approach.

Sean McFate, a authority on private military contractors, called for greater wariness, stating that "penalties are required yet incomplete for dealing with the growing mercenary trade".

"This is a shadow economy and centered in Dubai, which is relatively sanction-proof," he commented. The United Arab Emirates has been repeatedly implicated of arming the RSF, allegations it disputes. "Expect more Colombian mercenaries," McFate warned.