Washington Levies Restrictions on Network Alleged of Recruiting Colombian Fighters to Sudan.

The United States has levied restrictions on a group of four people and four firms charged of recruiting former Colombian soldiers to combat alongside and instruct a militia force in Sudan that Washington accuses of committing genocide.

Operation Structure

Revealing the sanctions on this week, the US Treasury Department stated the operation was largely composed of Colombian nationals and companies.

Numerous of former Colombian military personnel have been recruited to go to the conflict in Sudan to combat beside the Sudanese RSF militia, a group accused of severe violations such as massacres based on ethnicity and large-scale abductions.

Revelation of Role

The participation of ex-soldiers was first uncovered the previous year, prompted by an investigation which revealed that over three hundred former soldiers had been recruited to participate in the war – an event that led to an unprecedented apology from the Colombian government.

These South American veterans have long been considered as among the world’s most sought-after mercenaries due to their considerable warzone knowledge resulting from decades of civil war, knowledge of advanced weaponry, and high-level combat training.

Reported Actions

In the conflict, the Colombians have reportedly trained minors, provided drone warfare training, and participated in direct battles. One source previously stated that working with child soldiers was "terrible and insane" but noted that "sadly, that is the nature of conflict".

Targeted Persons

Among those sanctioned was Álvaro Andrés Quijano Becerra, a citizen of both Colombia and Italy and retired Colombian military officer located in the United Arab Emirates. The Treasury accused him a central role in recruiting and deploying former Colombian soldiers to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Oliveros, was also sanctioned.

Also on the restricted list was Mateo Duque Botero, a dual national who officials alleged ran a firm accused of handling funds and payroll for the network. "In 2024 and 2025, companies in the United States linked to Duque carried out numerous wire transfers, amounting to millions," the Treasury statement stated.

Individual Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the final person to be sanctioned, with the company she managed alleged to have money transfers linked to Duque and his operations.

"The United States again calls on external actors to cease providing financial and military support to the belligerents," the department stated.

Expert Analysis

An expert, senior analyst at the International Crisis Group, called the measures as a "very significant" development, stating that "targeting the enablers is the correct approach".

Furthermore, Colombia has enacted a statute approving the anti-mercenary convention, aiming to curb its citizens' long history in international fights and reshape domestic defense strategy.

Another expert, a authority on private military contractors, urged more caution, noting that "sanctions are necessary but insufficient for addressing rampant mercenarism".

"It operates in the black market and based out of the Emirates, 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," the expert cautioned.