🔗 Share this article

The United States has levied restrictions on a operation of several persons and entities charged of hiring former Colombian soldiers to fight for and train a militia force in Sudan the United States claims of committing genocide.

Operation Structure

Disclosing the restrictions on Tuesday, the Treasury stated the scheme was largely composed of Colombian citizens and firms.

Scores of ex-soldiers from Colombia have been recruited to go to Sudan to operate with the Sudanese RSF militia, a force implicated in terrible atrocities such as targeted ethnic killings and large-scale abductions.

Revelation of Role

The participation of ex-soldiers first came to light the previous year, after an report which revealed that hundreds of ex-military personnel had been contracted to engage in combat – an event that prompted an rare mea culpa from Colombia’s foreign ministry.

Colombian ex-soldiers have widely regarded as among the world’s most sought-after mercenaries due to their extensive battlefield experience acquired during decades of civil war, familiarity with Nato equipment, and superior tactical education.

Reported Actions

In the conflict, the mercenaries have allegedly instructed child soldiers, instructed militiamen in drone operation, and fought directly on the frontlines. One source remarked that working with child soldiers was "terrible and insane" but commented that "sadly, that is the nature of conflict".

Sanctioned Individuals

Among those targeted was Álvaro Andrés Quijano Becerra, a citizen of both Colombia and Italy and retired Colombian military officer operating from the Dubai. The government said he had a key part in enlisting and transporting former Colombian soldiers to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Oliveros, was penalized as well.

Also on the sanctions list was Mateo Andrés Duque Botero, a individual with Colombian and Spanish citizenship who authorities say managed a business accused of processing money and salaries for the recruitment operation. "In 2024 and 2025, American entities linked to Duque carried out several money transfers, amounting to millions," the government release noted.

Individual Mónica Muñoz was the final person to be sanctioned, with the firm she operated said to have conducted financial transactions linked to Duque and his operations.

"Washington reiterates its demand for foreign parties to cease providing financial and military support to the belligerents," the Treasury announced.

Reaction

Elizabeth Dickinson, with the International Crisis Group, described the measures as a "major" milestone, noting that "calling out those who are doing the contracting is the right way to go".

Furthermore, the Colombian government ratified a statute endorsing the anti-mercenary convention, aiming to curb years of participation by its nationals in overseas wars and change national security policy.

Sean McFate, a authority on private military contractors, advised additional measures, stating that "restrictions are needed but not enough for addressing rampant mercenarism".

"It operates in the black market and centered in the Emirates, which is relatively sanction-proof," he commented. The UAE has been widely accused of arming the RSF, claims it rejects. "More contractors from Colombia are likely," he advised.