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The Washington has imposed sanctions on a group of four individuals and four companies alleged of hiring former Colombian soldiers to support and educate a armed faction in Sudan that Washington accuses of genocidal acts.

Operation Structure

Revealing the measures on this week, the American treasury stated the scheme was primarily made up of Colombian citizens and firms.

Scores of retired Colombian troops have allegedly journeyed to the Sudanese warzone to combat beside the RSF paramilitary group, a faction implicated in terrible atrocities including ethnically targeted slaughter and mass abductions.

Discovery of Participation

The role of these mercenaries initially emerged in 2024, prompted by an investigation which revealed that more than 300 ex-military personnel had been contracted to engage in combat – an event that resulted in an unprecedented apology from officials in Bogotá.

Colombian ex-soldiers have widely regarded as among the world’s most sought-after mercenaries due to their considerable warzone knowledge resulting from a long-running domestic war, familiarity with Western military gear, and high-level combat training.

Reported Actions

In the Sudanese theater, the mercenaries have allegedly instructed underage fighters, instructed militiamen in drone operation, and participated in direct battles. A mercenary previously stated that training children was "horrific and irrational" but commented that "sadly, that is the nature of conflict".

Named Entities

Among those targeted was Álvaro Andrés Quijano Becerra, a individual with dual citizenship and former army officer operating from the Dubai. The Treasury accused him a pivotal function in recruiting and deploying ex-military personnel to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was penalized as well.

Also on the sanctions list was Duque Botero, a dual Colombian-Spanish citizen who authorities say managed a business accused of processing money and salaries for the network. "In 2024 and 2025, companies in the United States linked to Duque conducted several money transfers, amounting to millions," the official announcement said.

Citizen of Colombia Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the fourth individual to be penalized, with the company she managed said to have conducted money transfers associated with Duque and his operations.

"Washington reiterates its demand for foreign parties to stop giving monetary and weaponry aid to the combatants," the agency announced.

Analyst Commentary

An expert, from a conflict think tank, labeled the actions as a "highly important" development, noting that "identifying the recruiters is the proper strategy".

It was also noted that, Colombia has enacted a statute endorsing the International Convention Against the Recruitment and Use of Mercenaries, seeking to reduce years of participation by its nationals in overseas wars and change its security approach.

Another expert, a authority on private military contractors, advised additional measures, stating that "restrictions are needed but not enough for combating the growing mercenary trade".

"It operates in the black market and centered in the Emirates, which is relatively sanction-proof," he said. The Emirati government has been frequently alleged of supplying weapons to the paramilitary group, allegations it disputes. "Expect more Colombian mercenaries," McFate warned.