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The US government has levied restrictions on a network of four people and four firms accused of enlisting former Colombian soldiers to combat alongside and instruct a Sudanese paramilitary group the United States claims of genocidal acts.

Network Composition

Announcing the measures on Tuesday, the Treasury stated the network was primarily made up of individuals and businesses from Colombia.

Scores of former Colombian military personnel have reportedly travelled to Sudan to operate with the Sudanese RSF militia, a faction implicated in horrific war crimes such as massacres based on ethnicity and widespread kidnappings.

Revelation of Role

The involvement of Colombian fighters first came to light in 2024, prompted by an investigation which found that more than 300 retired troops had been contracted to fight – an event that led to an unusual statement of regret from officials in Bogotá.

Former Colombian military have long been considered as among the world’s most sought-after mercenaries due to their vast combat experience resulting from decades of civil war, familiarity with Western military gear, and superior tactical education.

Role in the Conflict

In the conflict, the contractors have reportedly trained child soldiers, provided drone warfare training, and fought directly on the frontlines. One source remarked that instructing minors was "terrible and insane" but commented that "unfortunately that’s how war is".

Named Entities

Among those targeted was Álvaro Andrés Quijano Becerra, a citizen of both Colombia and Italy and retired Colombian military officer located in the Dubai. The Treasury said he had a central role in recruiting and deploying ex-military personnel to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was similarly targeted.

Also on the restricted list was Duque Botero, a dual Colombian-Spanish citizen who authorities say oversaw a company implicated in processing money and salaries for the recruitment operation. "In 2024 and 2025, American entities associated with Duque carried out several money transfers, amounting to millions," the Treasury statement stated.

Individual Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the fourth individual to be sanctioned, with the company she managed accused of money transfers associated with Duque and his companies.

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

Analyst Commentary

A senior analyst, from a conflict think tank, labeled the sanctions as a "highly important" development, stating that "targeting the enablers is the right way to go".

It was also noted that, the Colombian government ratified a law approving the International Convention Against the Recruitment and Use of Mercenaries, designed to limit decades of Colombian involvement in overseas wars and change national security policy.

Another expert, a scholar on the subject, called for greater wariness, stating that "restrictions are needed but not enough for addressing widespread use of contractors".

"It operates in the black market and centered in the UAE, which is largely insulated from sanctions," he commented. The United Arab Emirates has been widely accused of providing arms to the militia, claims it rejects. "This trend will probably continue," he advised.