United States Enforces Penalties on Group Accused of Recruiting South American Contractors to Sudan.

The United States has enforced penalties on a group of four people and four firms accused of enlisting South American contractors to combat alongside and instruct a militia force in Sudan which the US alleges of genocidal acts.

Network Composition

Announcing the restrictions on Tuesday, the Treasury stated the scheme was mostly comprised of Colombian nationals and companies.

Hundreds of ex-soldiers from Colombia have been recruited to go to the Sudanese warzone to combat beside the Sudanese RSF militia, a faction accused of horrific war crimes including ethnically targeted slaughter and large-scale abductions.

Discovery of Participation

The involvement of Colombian fighters was first uncovered last year, following an report which revealed that hundreds of ex-military personnel had been contracted to fight – an event that led to an unprecedented apology from officials in Bogotá.

These South American veterans have long been considered as highly prized fighters in conflict zones due to their considerable warzone knowledge acquired during decades of civil war, training on advanced weaponry, and superior tactical education.

Activities in Sudan

In Sudan, the contractors have been accused of teaching child soldiers, provided drone warfare training, and participated in direct battles. A mercenary was quoted as saying that working with child soldiers was "terrible and insane" but noted 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 Dubai. The US authorities alleged he played a pivotal function in hiring and sending mercenaries to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Oliveros, was penalized as well.

Also on the restricted list was Mateo Duque Botero, a dual Colombian-Spanish citizen who officials alleged managed a business implicated in processing money and salaries for the scheme. "In 2024 and 2025, American entities connected to Duque engaged in several money transfers, totalling millions of US dollars," the Treasury statement stated.

Individual Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the fourth individual to be sanctioned, with the entity she oversaw accused of financial transactions linked to Duque and his operations.

"The US once more urges foreign parties to halt the flow of financial and military support to the combatants," the department stated.

Analyst Commentary

An expert, senior analyst at the International Crisis Group, called the measures as a "highly important" milestone, stating that "calling out those who are doing the contracting is the correct approach".

Furthermore, Bogotá ratified a piece of legislation ratifying the anti-mercenary convention, designed to limit decades of Colombian involvement in international fights and reshape national security policy.

A mercenary specialist, an expert on mercenaries, advised additional measures, stating that "sanctions are necessary but insufficient for addressing the growing mercenary trade".

"This is a shadow economy and centered in Dubai, which is relatively sanction-proof," he commented. The United Arab Emirates has been frequently alleged of arming the RSF, an accusation it has denied. "Expect more Colombian mercenaries," he advised.