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The United States has levied restrictions on a network of several persons and entities accused of hiring South American contractors to fight for and train a militia force in Sudan which the US alleges of committing genocide.

Group Makeup

Revealing the restrictions on Tuesday, the American treasury stated the scheme was primarily made up of individuals and businesses from Colombia.

Hundreds of former Colombian military personnel have allegedly journeyed to the conflict in Sudan to combat beside the Sudanese RSF militia, a faction accused of severe violations such as ethnically targeted slaughter and widespread kidnappings.

Revelation of Role

The participation of ex-soldiers was first uncovered last year, following an investigation which revealed that more than 300 retired troops had been recruited to engage in combat – an discovery that resulted in an unusual statement of regret from officials in Bogotá.

Colombian ex-soldiers have widely regarded as some of the most in-demand contractors globally due to their considerable warzone knowledge resulting from decades of civil war, knowledge of advanced weaponry, and elite military instruction.

Reported Actions

In the Sudanese theater, the mercenaries have been accused of teaching underage fighters, provided drone warfare training, and fought directly on the frontlines. An individual involved was quoted as saying that training children was "terrible and insane" but noted that "regrettably, war operates that way".

Sanctioned Individuals

Among those penalized was Álvaro Andrés Quijano Becerra, a citizen of both Colombia and Italy and former army officer operating from the UAE. The government accused him a central role in enlisting and transporting ex-military personnel 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 implicated in handling funds and payroll for the scheme. "In 2024 and 2025, US-based firms associated with Duque engaged in multiple financial transactions, worth millions," the Treasury statement said.

Colombian national Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the other individual to be penalized, with the firm she operated alleged to have wire transfers associated with Duque and his companies.

"The United States again calls on foreign parties to cease providing monetary and weaponry aid to the warring parties," the agency stated.

Reaction

Elizabeth Dickinson, from a conflict think tank, described the measures as a "very significant" step, saying that "identifying the recruiters is the proper strategy".

It was also noted that, Bogotá recently passed a statute approving the anti-mercenary convention, seeking to reduce years of participation by its nationals in foreign conflicts and change its security approach.

Another expert, a scholar on the subject, called for greater wariness, stating that "sanctions are necessary but insufficient for combating the growing mercenary trade".

"It operates in the black market and centered in Dubai, which is relatively sanction-proof," he stated. The UAE has been widely accused of providing arms to the militia, an accusation it has denied. "This trend will probably continue," the expert cautioned.