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The United States has levied restrictions on a network of four people and four firms accused of hiring South American contractors to combat alongside and instruct a Sudanese paramilitary group that Washington accuses of genocidal acts.

Operation Structure

Disclosing the restrictions on this week, the American treasury stated the operation was mostly comprised of Colombian nationals and companies.

Hundreds of ex-soldiers from Colombia have allegedly journeyed to the Sudanese warzone to operate with the Sudanese RSF militia, a faction accused of horrific war crimes including ethnically targeted slaughter and mass abductions.

Emergence of Involvement

The participation of ex-soldiers initially emerged in 2024, following an report which disclosed that over three hundred former soldiers had been hired to participate in the war – an event that resulted in an unusual statement of regret from Colombia’s foreign ministry.

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 Western military gear, and high-level combat training.

Activities in Sudan

In the Sudanese theater, the contractors have reportedly trained underage fighters, provided drone warfare training, and participated in direct battles. One source remarked that working with child soldiers was "horrific and irrational" but commented that "regrettably, war operates that way".

Sanctioned Individuals

Among those sanctioned was Álvaro Andrés Quijano Becerra, a citizen of both Colombia and Italy and former army officer operating from the United Arab Emirates. The US authorities said he had a central role in recruiting and deploying former Colombian soldiers to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Oliveros, was also sanctioned.

Also on the restricted list was Duque Botero, a dual national who authorities say managed a business accused of handling funds and payroll for the network. "Over the past two years, companies in the United States linked to Duque engaged in multiple financial transactions, amounting to millions," the Treasury statement noted.

Colombian national Mónica Muñoz was the other individual to be targeted, with the company she managed accused of money transfers associated with Duque and his businesses.

"The US once more urges outside forces to cease providing funding and arms to the combatants," the department stated.

Reaction

An expert, with the International Crisis Group, called the measures as a "very significant" development, stating that "targeting the enablers is the proper strategy".

She added that, Colombia recently passed a statute endorsing the anti-mercenary convention, designed to limit years of participation by its nationals in international fights and reshape domestic defense strategy.

Another expert, a authority on private military contractors, called for greater wariness, saying that "restrictions are needed but not enough for addressing the growing mercenary trade".

"It operates in the black market and based out of Dubai, which is relatively sanction-proof," he commented. The UAE has been widely accused of arming the RSF, allegations it disputes. "This trend will probably continue," the expert cautioned.