🔗 Share this article

The United States has levied restrictions on a operation of four people and four firms accused of enlisting South American contractors to combat alongside and instruct a armed faction in Sudan the United States claims of acts of genocide.

Operation Structure

Announcing the restrictions on this week, the US Treasury Department stated the operation was mostly comprised of Colombian nationals and companies.

Hundreds of former Colombian military personnel have been recruited to go to Sudan to combat beside the Sudanese RSF militia, a force accused of terrible atrocities encompassing ethnically targeted slaughter and large-scale abductions.

Revelation of Role

The participation of ex-soldiers first came to light last year, prompted by an report which disclosed that more than 300 retired troops had been recruited to engage in combat – an discovery that led to an unusual statement of regret from the Colombian government.

These South American veterans have long been considered as some of the most in-demand contractors globally due to their extensive battlefield experience acquired during years of internal conflict, knowledge of advanced weaponry, and elite military instruction.

Activities in Sudan

In Sudan, the contractors have reportedly trained child soldiers, provided drone warfare training, and engaged in frontline combat. One source was quoted as saying 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 based in the Dubai. The government alleged he played a pivotal function in enlisting and transporting former Colombian soldiers to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was similarly targeted.

Also on the restricted list was Duque Botero, a dual national who officials alleged ran a firm accused of processing money and salaries for the scheme. "In 2024 and 2025, companies in the United States associated with Duque engaged in numerous wire transfers, totalling millions of US dollars," the Treasury statement stated.

Individual Mónica Muñoz was the other individual to be penalized, with the company she managed said to have conducted money transfers connected to Duque and his companies.

"The United States again calls on external actors to stop giving financial and military support to the warring parties," the Treasury announced.

Analyst Commentary

An expert, with the International Crisis Group, called the actions as a "highly important" development, stating that "targeting the enablers is the right way to go".

It was also noted that, Bogotá ratified a piece of legislation ratifying the anti-mercenary convention, seeking to reduce decades of Colombian involvement in overseas wars and change its security approach.

Another expert, a scholar on the subject, urged more caution, saying that "sanctions are necessary but insufficient for dealing with rampant mercenarism".

"It’s an illicit economy and centered in the Emirates, which is largely insulated from sanctions," he commented. The United Arab Emirates has been repeatedly implicated of arming the RSF, claims it rejects. "This trend will probably continue," McFate warned.