🔗 Share this article

The United States has levied restrictions on a group of four individuals and four companies accused of hiring Colombian mercenaries to fight for and train a Sudanese paramilitary group which the US alleges of acts of genocide.

Group Makeup

Announcing the sanctions on Tuesday, the American treasury stated the operation was largely composed of individuals and businesses from Colombia.

Hundreds of ex-soldiers from Colombia have allegedly journeyed to the conflict in Sudan to fight alongside the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a faction linked to horrific war crimes including targeted ethnic killings and widespread kidnappings.

Discovery of Participation

The role of these mercenaries was first uncovered in 2024, prompted by an inquiry which disclosed that over three hundred retired troops had been hired to engage in combat – an discovery that resulted in an unusual statement of regret from the Colombian government.

These South American veterans have long been considered as among the world’s most sought-after mercenaries due to their vast combat experience gleaned from decades of civil war, familiarity with advanced weaponry, and superior tactical education.

Reported Actions

In the Sudanese theater, the contractors have allegedly instructed underage fighters, provided drone warfare training, and participated in direct battles. An individual involved previously stated that instructing minors was "horrific and irrational" but commented that "regrettably, war operates that way".

Sanctioned Individuals

Among those penalized was Álvaro Andrés Quijano Becerra, a citizen of both Colombia and Italy and ex-soldier based in the Dubai. The US authorities alleged he played a central role in recruiting and deploying mercenaries to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Oliveros, was also sanctioned.

Also on the restricted list was Duque Botero, a individual with Colombian and Spanish citizenship who officials alleged managed a business linked to processing money and salaries for the recruitment operation. "Recently, American entities linked to Duque conducted numerous wire transfers, worth millions," the official announcement stated.

Colombian national Mónica Muñoz was the fourth individual to be targeted, with the firm she operated said to have conducted wire transfers linked to Duque and his operations.

"The US once more urges external actors to stop giving monetary and weaponry aid to the warring parties," the agency said in a statement.

Analyst Commentary

Elizabeth Dickinson, with the International Crisis Group, labeled the actions as a "major" milestone, noting that "identifying the recruiters is the right way to go".

Furthermore, Bogotá recently passed a piece of legislation ratifying the global treaty against mercenarism, designed to limit years of participation by its nationals in foreign conflicts and transform its security approach.

Another expert, a scholar on the subject, urged more caution, noting that "restrictions are needed but not enough for combating the growing mercenary trade".

"This is a shadow economy and operating from Dubai, which is largely insulated from sanctions," he said. The Emirati government has been widely accused of supplying weapons to the paramilitary group, claims it rejects. "Expect more Colombian mercenaries," McFate warned.