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The Washington has levied restrictions on a group of several persons and entities accused of hiring Colombian mercenaries to fight for and train a Sudanese paramilitary group the United States claims of acts of genocide.

Group Makeup

Announcing the restrictions on Tuesday, the US Treasury Department stated the network was mostly comprised of individuals and businesses from Colombia.

Numerous of retired Colombian troops have allegedly journeyed to the conflict in Sudan to operate with the Sudanese RSF militia, a faction accused of terrible atrocities such as targeted ethnic killings and large-scale abductions.

Discovery of Participation

The participation of ex-soldiers was first uncovered the previous year, after an inquiry which disclosed that hundreds of former soldiers had been hired to fight – an event that resulted in an unusual statement of regret from officials in Bogotá.

Former Colombian military have long been considered as some of the most in-demand contractors globally due to their extensive battlefield experience acquired during decades of civil war, familiarity with advanced weaponry, and high-level combat training.

Role in the Conflict

In the Sudanese theater, the Colombians have been accused of teaching underage fighters, provided drone warfare training, and fought directly on the frontlines. An individual involved remarked that instructing minors was "horrific and irrational" but commented that "sadly, that is the nature of conflict".

Sanctioned Individuals

Among those penalized was Álvaro Andrés Quijano Becerra, a individual with dual citizenship and former army officer operating from the UAE. The US authorities said he had a key part in enlisting and transporting ex-military personnel to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Oliveros, was penalized as well.

Also on the sanctions list was Mateo Andrés Duque Botero, a dual national who authorities say managed a business implicated in handling funds and payroll for the network. "In 2024 and 2025, companies in the United States linked to Duque engaged in multiple financial transactions, totalling millions of US dollars," the government release said.

Citizen of Colombia Mónica Muñoz was the final person to be targeted, with the firm she operated accused of financial transactions linked to Duque and his companies.

"The United States again calls on external actors to cease providing funding and arms to the warring parties," the Treasury said in a statement.

Analyst Commentary

Elizabeth Dickinson, senior analyst at the International Crisis Group, described the measures as a "very significant" milestone, stating that "identifying the recruiters is the right way to go".

She added that, Colombia has enacted a statute approving the global treaty against mercenarism, designed to limit its citizens' long history in overseas wars and change its security approach.

A mercenary specialist, a authority on private military contractors, called for greater wariness, stating that "restrictions are needed but not enough for dealing with rampant mercenarism".

"This is a shadow economy and centered in the UAE, which is relatively sanction-proof," he said. The United Arab Emirates has been frequently alleged of supplying weapons to the paramilitary group, allegations it disputes. "Expect more Colombian mercenaries," McFate warned.