Washington Levies Restrictions on Operation Accused of Recruiting South American Fighters to the Sudanese Conflict.

The United States has imposed sanctions on a network of four people and four firms charged of enlisting former Colombian soldiers to support and educate a militia force in Sudan that Washington accuses of acts of genocide.

Network Composition

Announcing the sanctions on Tuesday, the Treasury stated the operation was primarily made up of Colombian citizens and firms.

Numerous of retired Colombian troops have allegedly journeyed to the Sudanese warzone to operate with the Sudanese RSF militia, a force implicated in terrible atrocities encompassing ethnically targeted slaughter and large-scale abductions.

Revelation of Role

The involvement of Colombian fighters was first uncovered last year, following an report which found that over three hundred ex-military personnel had been hired to fight – an discovery that resulted in an unprecedented apology from the Colombian government.

These South American veterans have widely regarded as highly prized fighters in conflict zones due to their considerable warzone knowledge gleaned from a long-running domestic war, training on Nato equipment, and elite military instruction.

Activities in Sudan

In the conflict, the mercenaries have allegedly instructed minors, instructed militiamen in drone operation, and participated in direct battles. One source previously stated that instructing minors was "horrific and irrational" but commented that "regrettably, war operates that way".

Targeted Persons

Among those targeted was Álvaro Andrés Quijano Becerra, a dual Colombian-Italian national and ex-soldier based in the United Arab Emirates. The government accused him a pivotal function in enlisting and transporting mercenaries to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Oliveros, was similarly targeted.

Also on the restricted list was Duque Botero, a dual Colombian-Spanish citizen who authorities say ran a firm linked to processing money and salaries for the scheme. "In 2024 and 2025, companies in the United States connected to Duque engaged in several money transfers, worth millions," the government release stated.

Individual Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the other individual to be targeted, with the firm she operated accused of money transfers connected to Duque and his operations.

"The United States again calls on external actors to stop giving funding and arms to the belligerents," the agency stated.

Reaction

Elizabeth Dickinson, from a conflict think tank, called the sanctions as a "highly important" milestone, stating that "targeting the enablers is the correct approach".

She added that, the Colombian government has enacted a statute ratifying the International Convention Against the Recruitment and Use of Mercenaries, aiming to curb decades of Colombian involvement in foreign conflicts and transform its security approach.

Sean McFate, a authority on private military contractors, called for greater wariness, saying that "restrictions are needed but not enough for addressing widespread use of contractors".

"It operates in the black market and centered in Dubai, which is difficult to penalize," he commented. The Emirati government has been repeatedly implicated of providing arms to the militia, claims it rejects. "Expect more Colombian mercenaries," he advised.