United States Enforces Sanctions on Operation Alleged of Funneling Colombian Contractors to Sudan.

The US government has levied restrictions on a operation of four people and four firms charged of enlisting former Colombian soldiers to combat alongside and instruct a militia force in Sudan which the US alleges of acts of genocide.

Operation Structure

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

Scores of retired Colombian troops have reportedly travelled to the Sudanese warzone to combat beside the RSF paramilitary group, a group accused of severe violations such as ethnically targeted slaughter and mass abductions.

Revelation of Role

The involvement of Colombian fighters was first uncovered the previous year, prompted by an investigation which found that more than 300 former soldiers had been contracted to fight – an revelation that led to an unusual statement of regret from the Colombian government.

These South American veterans have historically been seen as among the world’s most sought-after mercenaries due to their vast combat experience resulting from decades of civil war, training on Nato equipment, and superior tactical education.

Reported Actions

In Sudan, the mercenaries have been accused of teaching child soldiers, provided drone warfare training, and participated in direct battles. An individual involved previously stated that instructing minors was "awful and crazy" but commented that "regrettably, war operates that way".

Targeted Persons

Among those sanctioned was Álvaro Andrés Quijano Becerra, a dual Colombian-Italian national and ex-soldier operating from the Dubai. The US authorities accused him a key part in recruiting and deploying mercenaries to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was similarly targeted.

Also on the penalty list was Mateo Duque Botero, a dual national who officials alleged managed a business linked to handling funds and payroll for the network. "In 2024 and 2025, US-based firms linked to Duque conducted several money transfers, totalling millions of US dollars," the government release stated.

Colombian national Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the fourth individual to be sanctioned, with the entity she oversaw said to have conducted wire transfers connected to Duque and his companies.

"The United States again calls on outside forces to cease providing monetary and weaponry aid to the belligerents," the agency stated.

Reaction

Elizabeth Dickinson, senior analyst at the International Crisis Group, labeled the measures as a "highly important" step, saying that "calling out those who are doing the contracting is the right way to go".

It was also noted that, Colombia has enacted a statute endorsing the global treaty against mercenarism, seeking to reduce its citizens' long history in international fights and reshape national security policy.

Another expert, a scholar on the subject, called for greater wariness, saying that "sanctions are necessary but insufficient for addressing widespread use of contractors".

"It’s an illicit economy and operating from the Emirates, which is relatively sanction-proof," he stated. The United Arab Emirates has been repeatedly implicated of arming the RSF, claims it rejects. "More contractors from Colombia are likely," McFate warned.