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The Washington has enforced penalties on a operation of several persons and entities alleged of enlisting South American contractors to support and educate a militia force in Sudan which the US alleges of acts of genocide.

Network Composition

Announcing the restrictions on Tuesday, the American treasury stated the operation was largely composed of Colombian citizens and firms.

Numerous of ex-soldiers from Colombia have reportedly travelled to the conflict in Sudan to combat beside the RSF paramilitary group, a force accused of severe violations encompassing targeted ethnic killings and mass abductions.

Discovery of Participation

The involvement of Colombian fighters first came to light in 2024, following an investigation which revealed that hundreds of ex-military personnel had been contracted to fight – an event that resulted in an unusual statement of regret from officials in Bogotá.

Colombian ex-soldiers have historically been seen as among the world’s most sought-after mercenaries due to their considerable warzone knowledge gleaned from years of internal conflict, familiarity with Western military gear, and superior tactical education.

Activities in Sudan

In the conflict, the mercenaries have been accused of teaching minors, provided drone warfare training, and engaged in frontline combat. One source remarked that training children was "terrible and insane" but commented that "regrettably, war operates that way".

Named Entities

Among those penalized was Álvaro Andrés Quijano Becerra, a dual Colombian-Italian national and retired Colombian military officer located in the Dubai. The US authorities alleged he played a central role in enlisting and transporting former Colombian soldiers to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Oliveros, was also sanctioned.

Also on the penalty list was Mateo Andrés Duque Botero, a dual national who authorities say managed a business accused of processing money and salaries for the network. "Recently, US-based firms connected to Duque engaged in multiple financial transactions, amounting to millions," the Treasury statement said.

Citizen of Colombia Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the fourth individual to be penalized, with the entity she oversaw said to have conducted financial transactions linked to Duque and his companies.

"The US once more urges external actors to cease providing funding and arms to the belligerents," the Treasury stated.

Reaction

An expert, with the International Crisis Group, described the actions as a "highly important" step, stating that "identifying the recruiters is the correct approach".

Furthermore, Bogotá has enacted a law ratifying the International Convention Against the Recruitment and Use of Mercenaries, aiming to curb years of participation by its nationals in foreign conflicts and transform national security policy.

Another expert, a scholar on the subject, urged more caution, noting that "restrictions are needed but not enough for addressing rampant mercenarism".

"It operates in the black market and operating from the Emirates, which is difficult to penalize," he commented. The UAE has been widely accused of supplying weapons to the paramilitary group, an accusation it has denied. "More contractors from Colombia are likely," McFate warned.