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The US government has enforced penalties on a network of four individuals and four companies charged of recruiting Colombian mercenaries to support and educate a Sudanese paramilitary group that Washington accuses of acts of genocide.

Operation Structure

Disclosing the measures on this week, the US Treasury Department stated the network was largely composed of Colombian nationals and companies.

Scores of ex-soldiers from Colombia have allegedly journeyed to Sudan to operate with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a group accused of horrific war crimes such as ethnically targeted slaughter and large-scale abductions.

Discovery of Participation

The involvement of Colombian fighters was first uncovered in 2024, following an report which revealed that over three hundred retired troops had been recruited to fight – an revelation that resulted in an unprecedented apology from the Colombian government.

Former Colombian military have long been considered as highly prized fighters in conflict zones due to their vast combat experience gleaned from a long-running domestic war, knowledge of advanced weaponry, and high-level combat training.

Role in the Conflict

In Sudan, the contractors have been accused of teaching child soldiers, taught fighters to pilot drones, and engaged in frontline combat. A mercenary was quoted as saying that working with child soldiers was "horrific and irrational" but noted that "regrettably, war operates that way".

Sanctioned Individuals

Among those targeted was Álvaro Andrés Quijano Becerra, a citizen of both Colombia and Italy and ex-soldier operating from the United Arab Emirates. The Treasury alleged he played a central role in recruiting and deploying mercenaries to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was penalized as well.

Also on the sanctions list was Mateo Andrés Duque Botero, a dual national who authorities say ran a firm linked to processing money and salaries for the recruitment operation. "In 2024 and 2025, US-based firms connected to Duque conducted multiple financial transactions, amounting to millions," the government release noted.

Individual Mónica Muñoz was the final person to be targeted, with the entity she oversaw accused of financial transactions linked to Duque and his businesses.

"Washington reiterates its demand for outside forces to stop giving monetary and weaponry aid to the belligerents," the Treasury stated.

Analyst Commentary

A senior analyst, from a conflict think tank, called the sanctions as a "major" step, stating that "targeting the enablers is the proper strategy".

She added that, Bogotá ratified a law approving the International Convention Against the Recruitment and Use of Mercenaries, designed to limit decades of Colombian involvement in overseas wars and reshape domestic defense strategy.

Sean McFate, an expert on mercenaries, advised additional measures, noting that "restrictions are needed but not enough for dealing with the growing mercenary trade".

"It operates in the black market and centered in Dubai, which is largely insulated from sanctions," he commented. The UAE has been widely accused of arming the RSF, allegations it disputes. "More contractors from Colombia are likely," the expert cautioned.