US Imposes Penalties on Group Alleged of Channeling South American Mercenaries to the Sudanese Conflict.

The United States has imposed sanctions on a operation of four people and four firms alleged of hiring South American contractors to support and educate a Sudanese paramilitary group that Washington accuses of acts of genocide.

Network Composition

Disclosing the measures on Tuesday, the American treasury stated the operation was largely composed of Colombian citizens and firms.

Hundreds of retired Colombian troops have reportedly travelled to Sudan to operate with the Sudanese RSF militia, a force linked to severe violations including targeted ethnic killings and widespread kidnappings.

Discovery of Participation

The participation of ex-soldiers initially emerged in 2024, following an report which disclosed that more than 300 ex-military personnel had been hired to engage in combat – an discovery that resulted in an rare mea culpa from officials in Bogotá.

Colombian ex-soldiers have long been considered as some of the most in-demand contractors globally due to their vast combat experience acquired during decades of civil war, familiarity with advanced weaponry, and elite military instruction.

Role in the Conflict

In the Sudanese theater, the Colombians have allegedly instructed minors, instructed militiamen in drone operation, and participated in direct battles. A mercenary previously stated that instructing minors was "horrific and irrational" but commented that "unfortunately that’s how war is".

Named Entities

Among those penalized was Álvaro Andrés Quijano Becerra, a citizen of both Colombia and Italy and former army officer operating from the United Arab Emirates. The government accused him a key part in hiring and sending ex-military personnel to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Oliveros, was also sanctioned.

Also on the penalty list was Duque Botero, a individual with Colombian and Spanish citizenship who officials alleged managed a business accused of managing finances and payments for the recruitment operation. "In 2024 and 2025, US-based firms connected to Duque carried out several money transfers, amounting to millions," the Treasury statement noted.

Colombian national Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the fourth individual to be penalized, with the firm she operated accused of financial transactions connected to Duque and his businesses.

"The US once more urges foreign parties to halt the flow of monetary and weaponry aid to the combatants," the department said in a statement.

Expert Analysis

An expert, senior analyst at the International Crisis Group, described the sanctions as a "major" development, saying that "identifying the recruiters is the proper strategy".

It was also noted that, Colombia has enacted a piece of legislation approving the global treaty against mercenarism, aiming to curb years of participation by its nationals in international fights and reshape its security approach.

Sean McFate, a scholar on the subject, called for greater wariness, stating that "sanctions are necessary but insufficient for addressing the growing mercenary trade".

"It operates in the black market and centered in the UAE, which is difficult to penalize," he commented. The UAE has been widely accused of supplying weapons to the paramilitary group, an accusation it has denied. "More contractors from Colombia are likely," the expert cautioned.