United States Enforces Penalties on Operation Alleged of Funneling Colombian Fighters to the Sudanese Conflict.

The Washington has levied restrictions on a group of four people and four firms charged of hiring Colombian mercenaries to support and educate a Sudanese paramilitary group that Washington accuses of committing genocide.

Operation Structure

Announcing the sanctions on this week, the Treasury stated the network was mostly comprised of Colombian citizens and firms.

Hundreds of ex-soldiers from Colombia have allegedly journeyed to the Sudanese warzone to combat beside the Sudanese RSF militia, a group linked to horrific war crimes including ethnically targeted slaughter and widespread kidnappings.

Discovery of Participation

The involvement of Colombian fighters initially emerged last year, prompted by an investigation which revealed that more than 300 retired troops had been recruited to fight – an event that led to an unprecedented apology from the Colombian government.

These South American veterans have widely regarded as some of the most in-demand contractors globally due to their vast combat experience gleaned from decades of civil war, familiarity with advanced weaponry, and superior tactical education.

Reported Actions

In Sudan, the contractors have reportedly trained minors, instructed militiamen in drone operation, and engaged in frontline combat. One source remarked that instructing minors was "terrible and insane" but noted that "unfortunately that’s how war is".

Targeted Persons

Among those targeted was Álvaro Andrés Quijano Becerra, a citizen of both Colombia and Italy and ex-soldier located in the UAE. The Treasury alleged he played a key part in recruiting and deploying mercenaries to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was penalized as well.

Also on the restricted list was Duque Botero, a dual national who officials alleged managed a business accused of managing finances and payments for the scheme. "In 2024 and 2025, companies in the United States connected to Duque carried out several money transfers, worth millions," the official announcement stated.

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

"The United States again calls on foreign parties to stop giving funding and arms to the warring parties," the Treasury said in a statement.

Expert Analysis

An expert, senior analyst at the International Crisis Group, called the actions as a "major" step, saying that "identifying the recruiters is the proper strategy".

She added that, the Colombian government has enacted a statute approving the global treaty against mercenarism, designed to limit decades of Colombian involvement in international fights and transform its security approach.

A mercenary specialist, a authority on private military contractors, called for greater wariness, noting that "penalties are required yet incomplete for dealing with the growing mercenary trade".

"It’s an illicit economy and centered in Dubai, which is relatively sanction-proof," he stated. The UAE has been widely accused of arming the RSF, claims it rejects. "More contractors from Colombia are likely," the expert cautioned.