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The Washington has imposed sanctions on a group of several persons and entities charged of enlisting Colombian mercenaries to support and educate a Sudanese paramilitary group the United States claims of genocidal acts.

Operation Structure

Announcing the sanctions on this week, the Treasury stated the scheme was mostly comprised of Colombian nationals and companies.

Numerous of former Colombian military personnel have reportedly travelled to the Sudanese warzone to operate with the RSF paramilitary group, a force implicated in severe violations such as targeted ethnic killings and mass abductions.

Revelation of Role

The role of these mercenaries first came to light in 2024, after an investigation which disclosed that over three hundred retired troops had been contracted to engage in combat – an revelation that prompted an unprecedented apology from officials in Bogotá.

Colombian ex-soldiers have long been considered as among the world’s most sought-after mercenaries due to their vast combat experience resulting from years of internal conflict, knowledge of Nato equipment, and high-level combat training.

Activities in Sudan

In Sudan, the mercenaries have allegedly instructed underage fighters, taught fighters to pilot drones, and fought directly on the frontlines. An individual involved previously stated that working with child soldiers was "awful and crazy" but noted 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 based in the Dubai. The US authorities alleged he played a key part in recruiting and deploying mercenaries 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 oversaw a company linked to handling funds and payroll for the recruitment operation. "Recently, companies in the United States associated with Duque conducted several money transfers, worth millions," the official announcement said.

Colombian national Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the final person to be penalized, with the entity she oversaw alleged to have financial transactions associated with Duque and his companies.

"Washington reiterates its demand for foreign parties to halt the flow of monetary and weaponry aid to the warring parties," the department said in a statement.

Expert Analysis

An expert, senior analyst at the International Crisis Group, called the actions as a "highly important" step, stating that "calling out those who are doing the contracting is the proper strategy".

It was also noted that, the Colombian government ratified a law approving the anti-mercenary convention, aiming to curb its citizens' long history in international fights and transform domestic defense strategy.

Another expert, an expert on mercenaries, called for greater wariness, saying that "penalties are required yet incomplete for addressing widespread use of contractors".

"It operates in the black market and based out of the Emirates, which is largely insulated from sanctions," he stated. The UAE has been repeatedly implicated of arming the RSF, an accusation it has denied. "Expect more Colombian mercenaries," the expert cautioned.