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The US government has imposed sanctions on a network of four individuals and four companies alleged of hiring South American contractors to fight for and train a militia force in Sudan that Washington accuses of genocidal acts.

Group Makeup

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

Scores of ex-soldiers from Colombia have been recruited to go to the Sudanese warzone to combat beside the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a group linked to severe violations including targeted ethnic killings and widespread kidnappings.

Revelation of Role

The involvement of Colombian fighters was first uncovered last year, after an report which found that hundreds of retired troops had been recruited to participate in the war – an revelation that prompted an rare mea culpa from officials in Bogotá.

Former Colombian military have long been considered as some of the most in-demand contractors globally due to their extensive battlefield experience acquired during years of internal conflict, training on advanced weaponry, and superior tactical education.

Reported Actions

In the Sudanese theater, the mercenaries have reportedly trained underage fighters, instructed militiamen in drone operation, and fought directly on the frontlines. One source remarked that training children was "terrible and insane" but added that "regrettably, war operates that way".

Targeted Persons

Among those sanctioned was Álvaro Andrés Quijano Becerra, a citizen of both Colombia and Italy and former army officer located in the United Arab Emirates. The US authorities alleged he played a key part in recruiting and deploying former Colombian soldiers to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was penalized as well.

Also on the penalty list was Duque Botero, a dual national who the Treasury stated ran a firm implicated in handling funds and payroll for the scheme. "In 2024 and 2025, American entities connected to Duque conducted multiple financial transactions, amounting to millions," the official announcement stated.

Colombian national Mónica Muñoz was the final person to be sanctioned, with the company she managed alleged to have financial transactions associated with Duque and his companies.

"Washington reiterates its demand for foreign parties to halt the flow of financial and military support to the warring parties," the Treasury stated.

Expert Analysis

A senior analyst, with the International Crisis Group, described the measures as a "major" step, saying that "targeting the enablers is the right way to go".

It was also noted that, the Colombian government has enacted a law ratifying the International Convention Against the Recruitment and Use of Mercenaries, aiming to curb its citizens' long history in foreign conflicts and transform domestic defense strategy.

Sean McFate, a authority on private military contractors, advised additional measures, stating that "sanctions are necessary but insufficient for combating the growing mercenary trade".

"It’s an illicit economy and centered in Dubai, which is relatively sanction-proof," he said. The Emirati government has been repeatedly implicated of arming the RSF, claims it rejects. "This trend will probably continue," McFate warned.