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The US government has levied restrictions on a operation of several persons and entities accused of enlisting South American contractors to combat alongside and instruct a Sudanese paramilitary group the United States claims of acts of genocide.

Group Makeup

Revealing the restrictions on Tuesday, the American treasury stated the operation was primarily made up of Colombian citizens and firms.

Numerous of ex-soldiers from Colombia have reportedly travelled to Sudan to combat beside the RSF paramilitary group, a faction accused of horrific war crimes encompassing massacres based on ethnicity and widespread kidnappings.

Emergence of Involvement

The participation of ex-soldiers first came to light last year, following an report which found that hundreds of retired troops had been recruited to fight – an revelation that resulted in an unusual statement of regret 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 gleaned from decades of civil war, familiarity with advanced weaponry, and high-level combat training.

Activities in Sudan

In the Sudanese theater, the mercenaries have reportedly trained minors, instructed militiamen in drone operation, and participated in direct battles. One source previously stated that working with child soldiers was "horrific and irrational" but noted 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 former army officer based in the UAE. The government alleged he played a pivotal function in hiring and sending ex-military personnel to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Oliveros, was penalized as well.

Also on the penalty list was Duque Botero, a dual national who authorities say ran a firm linked to managing finances and payments for the recruitment operation. "In 2024 and 2025, American entities associated with Duque conducted numerous wire transfers, amounting to millions," the government release stated.

Individual Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the final person to be penalized, with the entity she oversaw said to have conducted financial transactions linked to Duque and his companies.

"Washington reiterates its demand for foreign parties to cease providing financial and military support to the warring parties," the department announced.

Expert Analysis

An expert, from a conflict think tank, described the actions as a "highly important" development, stating that "targeting the enablers is the correct approach".

She added that, the Colombian government has enacted a statute ratifying the anti-mercenary convention, designed to limit its citizens' long history in overseas wars and transform its security approach.

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

"It operates in the black market and operating from Dubai, which is largely insulated from sanctions," he stated. The Emirati government has been widely accused of arming the RSF, allegations it disputes. "More contractors from Colombia are likely," the expert cautioned.