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The Washington has imposed sanctions on a group of four individuals and four companies accused of recruiting South American contractors to support and educate a militia force in Sudan which the US alleges of committing genocide.

Operation Structure

Disclosing the restrictions on Tuesday, the American treasury stated the scheme was largely composed of individuals and businesses from Colombia.

Hundreds of retired Colombian troops have reportedly travelled to the conflict in Sudan to operate with the RSF paramilitary group, a faction implicated in severe violations encompassing targeted ethnic killings and widespread kidnappings.

Revelation of Role

The participation of ex-soldiers was first uncovered in 2024, after an inquiry which revealed that over three hundred former soldiers had been recruited to participate in the war – an revelation that resulted in an rare mea culpa from the Colombian government.

Former Colombian military have long been considered as highly prized fighters in conflict zones due to their considerable warzone knowledge resulting from years of internal conflict, knowledge of Western military gear, and superior tactical education.

Reported Actions

In the Sudanese theater, the contractors have been accused of teaching child soldiers, taught fighters to pilot drones, and participated in direct battles. One source was quoted as saying that instructing minors was "awful and crazy" but added that "unfortunately that’s how war is".

Targeted Persons

Among those sanctioned was Álvaro Andrés Quijano Becerra, a individual with dual citizenship and ex-soldier located in the United Arab Emirates. The US authorities accused him a key part in recruiting and deploying ex-military personnel to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Oliveros, was also sanctioned.

Also on the restricted list was Duque Botero, a dual Colombian-Spanish citizen who the Treasury stated managed a business implicated in managing finances and payments for the network. "Over the past two years, American entities linked to Duque conducted multiple financial transactions, amounting to millions," the Treasury statement noted.

Colombian national Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the final person to be sanctioned, with the firm she operated alleged to have wire transfers connected to Duque and his companies.

"The US once more urges external actors to halt the flow of financial and military support to the combatants," the agency announced.

Analyst Commentary

An expert, senior analyst at the International Crisis Group, called the actions as a "highly important" milestone, saying that "identifying the recruiters is the right way to go".

It was also noted that, Colombia has enacted a law endorsing the global treaty against mercenarism, seeking to reduce decades of Colombian involvement in overseas wars and reshape its security approach.

Another expert, an expert on mercenaries, advised additional measures, saying that "restrictions are needed but not enough for combating rampant mercenarism".

"It’s an illicit economy and operating from the UAE, which is relatively sanction-proof," he said. The Emirati government has been widely accused of providing arms to the militia, claims it rejects. "Expect more Colombian mercenaries," McFate warned.