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The Washington has levied restrictions on a group of four people and four firms charged of recruiting South American contractors to fight for and train a Sudanese paramilitary group the United States claims of committing genocide.

Group Makeup

Announcing the restrictions on this week, the Treasury stated the scheme was largely composed of Colombian nationals and companies.

Scores of ex-soldiers from Colombia have reportedly travelled to the conflict in Sudan to combat beside the Sudanese RSF militia, a force accused of terrible atrocities including ethnically targeted slaughter and mass abductions.

Revelation of Role

The involvement of Colombian fighters first came to light last year, following an investigation which revealed that hundreds of ex-military personnel had been contracted to engage in combat – an event that prompted an rare mea culpa from Colombia’s foreign ministry.

Former Colombian military have widely regarded as among the world’s most sought-after mercenaries due to their extensive battlefield experience gleaned from a long-running domestic war, training on Nato equipment, and superior tactical education.

Reported Actions

In the Sudanese theater, the Colombians have reportedly trained underage fighters, instructed militiamen in drone operation, and fought directly on the frontlines. One source remarked that instructing minors was "horrific and irrational" but added that "regrettably, war operates that way".

Sanctioned Individuals

Among those penalized was Álvaro Andrés Quijano Becerra, a citizen of both Colombia and Italy and retired Colombian military officer based in the Dubai. The government said he had a pivotal function in hiring and sending ex-military personnel to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Oliveros, was similarly targeted.

Also on the sanctions list was Duque Botero, a dual national who officials alleged oversaw a company linked to handling funds and payroll for the recruitment operation. "In 2024 and 2025, companies in the United States connected to Duque engaged in several money transfers, totalling millions of US dollars," the government release stated.

Colombian national Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the other individual to be targeted, with the company she managed accused of financial transactions connected to Duque and his operations.

"The United States again calls on outside forces to stop giving financial and military support to the combatants," the department said in a statement.

Expert Analysis

A senior analyst, from a conflict think tank, described the measures as a "major" step, stating that "identifying the recruiters is the proper strategy".

Furthermore, Colombia ratified a statute approving the International Convention Against the Recruitment and Use of Mercenaries, seeking to reduce its citizens' long history in international fights and reshape its security approach.

Another expert, a authority on private military contractors, advised additional measures, stating that "sanctions are necessary but insufficient for addressing rampant mercenarism".

"This is a shadow economy and based out of the Emirates, which is largely insulated from sanctions," he stated. The UAE has been frequently alleged of providing arms to the militia, an accusation it has denied. "This trend will probably continue," the expert cautioned.