🔗 Share this article

The Washington has enforced penalties on a group of several persons and entities alleged of hiring Colombian mercenaries to fight for and train a militia force in Sudan which the US alleges of committing genocide.

Network Composition

Disclosing the sanctions on Tuesday, the Treasury stated the operation was largely composed of individuals and businesses from Colombia.

Scores of former Colombian military personnel have reportedly travelled to Sudan to operate with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a faction linked to severe violations including ethnically targeted slaughter and large-scale abductions.

Emergence of Involvement

The involvement of Colombian fighters was first uncovered the previous year, after an inquiry which revealed that hundreds of ex-military personnel had been contracted to engage in combat – an event that resulted in an unprecedented apology from the Colombian government.

These South American veterans have long been considered as some of the most in-demand contractors globally due to their considerable warzone knowledge acquired during decades of civil war, familiarity with Western military gear, and superior tactical education.

Activities in Sudan

In Sudan, the mercenaries have reportedly trained minors, taught fighters to pilot drones, and engaged in frontline combat. One source was quoted as saying that instructing minors was "awful and crazy" but commented that "unfortunately that’s how war is".

Sanctioned Individuals

Among those targeted was Álvaro Andrés Quijano Becerra, a dual Colombian-Italian national and retired Colombian military officer based in the United Arab Emirates. The Treasury accused him a pivotal function in hiring and sending former Colombian soldiers to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was also sanctioned.

Also on the sanctions list was Duque Botero, a dual Colombian-Spanish citizen who authorities say oversaw a company implicated in processing money and salaries for the scheme. "In 2024 and 2025, US-based firms linked to Duque engaged in multiple financial transactions, amounting to millions," the Treasury statement noted.

Individual Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the fourth individual to be penalized, with the company she managed said to have conducted money transfers connected to Duque and his companies.

"The United States again calls on external actors to halt the flow of financial and military support to the warring parties," the Treasury said in a statement.

Analyst Commentary

A senior analyst, with the International Crisis Group, described the sanctions as a "major" milestone, noting that "identifying the recruiters is the correct approach".

It was also noted that, Colombia recently passed a law approving the International Convention Against the Recruitment and Use of Mercenaries, designed to limit years of participation by its nationals in international fights and reshape its security approach.

Sean McFate, a scholar on the subject, urged more caution, stating that "restrictions are needed but not enough for addressing rampant mercenarism".

"This is a shadow economy and based out of Dubai, which is largely insulated from sanctions," he stated. The UAE has been widely accused of supplying weapons to the paramilitary group, allegations it disputes. "More contractors from Colombia are likely," he advised.