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The United States has imposed sanctions on a operation of several persons and entities charged of enlisting former Colombian soldiers to combat alongside and instruct a Sudanese paramilitary group which the US alleges of committing genocide.

Network Composition

Revealing the restrictions on Tuesday, the Treasury stated the network was primarily made up of Colombian nationals and companies.

Hundreds of former Colombian military personnel have reportedly travelled to the Sudanese warzone to fight alongside the RSF paramilitary group, a faction accused of horrific war crimes encompassing massacres based on ethnicity and large-scale abductions.

Discovery of Participation

The participation of ex-soldiers initially emerged in 2024, after an inquiry which found that hundreds of ex-military personnel had been recruited to participate in the war – an revelation that prompted an unusual statement of regret from the Colombian government.

Former Colombian military have long been considered as among the world’s most sought-after mercenaries due to their considerable warzone knowledge gleaned from years of internal conflict, familiarity with advanced weaponry, and superior tactical education.

Role in the Conflict

In Sudan, the Colombians have reportedly trained child soldiers, taught fighters to pilot drones, and fought directly on the frontlines. An individual involved was quoted as saying 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 dual Colombian-Italian national and retired Colombian military officer operating from the Dubai. The US authorities alleged he played a pivotal function in enlisting and transporting former Colombian soldiers to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was penalized as well.

Also on the sanctions list was Mateo Andrés Duque Botero, a dual Colombian-Spanish citizen who officials alleged oversaw a company linked to processing money and salaries for the network. "Over the past two years, companies in the United States connected to Duque engaged in multiple financial transactions, amounting to millions," the official announcement stated.

Individual Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the other individual to be sanctioned, with the entity she oversaw accused of wire transfers connected to Duque and his operations.

"The US once more urges foreign parties to cease providing funding and arms to the combatants," the Treasury stated.

Expert Analysis

Elizabeth Dickinson, senior analyst at the International Crisis Group, called the actions as a "major" milestone, stating that "calling out those who are doing the contracting is the proper strategy".

It was also noted that, the Colombian government has enacted a piece of legislation approving the International Convention Against the Recruitment and Use of Mercenaries, aiming to curb its citizens' long history in foreign conflicts and transform its security approach.

Sean McFate, a scholar on the subject, urged more caution, stating that "restrictions are needed but not enough for combating widespread use of contractors".

"This is a shadow economy and centered in Dubai, which is difficult to penalize," he said. The United Arab Emirates has been widely accused of supplying weapons to the paramilitary group, claims it rejects. "This trend will probably continue," McFate warned.