🔗 Share this article

The US government has levied restrictions on a operation of four individuals and four companies alleged of hiring South American contractors to support and educate a armed faction in Sudan the United States claims of committing genocide.

Operation Structure

Revealing the measures on Tuesday, the US Treasury Department stated the operation was mostly comprised of Colombian nationals and companies.

Scores of retired Colombian troops have been recruited to go to the conflict in Sudan to operate with the RSF paramilitary group, a faction linked to terrible atrocities such as targeted ethnic killings and widespread kidnappings.

Discovery of Participation

The participation of ex-soldiers first came to light last year, following an investigation which revealed that more than 300 former soldiers had been hired to participate in the war – an discovery that prompted an unusual statement of regret from Colombia’s foreign ministry.

Former Colombian military have historically been seen as among the world’s most sought-after mercenaries due to their extensive battlefield experience acquired during a long-running domestic war, familiarity with Western military gear, and elite military instruction.

Reported Actions

In Sudan, the contractors have reportedly trained minors, instructed militiamen in drone operation, and fought directly on the frontlines. An individual involved previously stated that training children was "awful and crazy" but added that "sadly, that is the nature of conflict".

Named Entities

Among those penalized was Álvaro Andrés Quijano Becerra, a citizen of both Colombia and Italy and ex-soldier located in the Dubai. The Treasury accused him a key part in hiring and sending ex-military personnel to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Oliveros, was penalized as well.

Also on the sanctions list was Mateo Andrés Duque Botero, a individual with Colombian and Spanish citizenship who authorities say managed a business linked to managing finances and payments for the network. "In 2024 and 2025, US-based firms linked to Duque carried out numerous wire transfers, worth millions," the official announcement stated.

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

"The United States again calls on foreign parties to halt the flow of monetary and weaponry aid to the belligerents," the Treasury said in a statement.

Expert Analysis

An expert, with the International Crisis Group, labeled the sanctions as a "very significant" development, saying that "identifying the recruiters is the correct approach".

It was also noted that, Bogotá recently passed a statute approving the anti-mercenary convention, aiming to curb its citizens' long history in foreign conflicts and transform its security approach.

Sean McFate, a scholar on the subject, called for greater wariness, stating that "restrictions are needed but not enough for dealing with the growing mercenary trade".

"This is a shadow economy and based out of the UAE, which is largely insulated from sanctions," he stated. The UAE has been widely accused of supplying weapons to the paramilitary group, an accusation it has denied. "This trend will probably continue," McFate warned.