The United States has imposed sanctions on a network responsible for recruiting and financing Colombian mercenaries to fight alongside the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary group in Sudan accused of genocide and war crimes.
The US Treasury’s latest action targets four individuals and four companies—primarily Colombian nationals—accused of facilitating the flow of former soldiers into the conflict.
Colombian veterans are highly sought after in the global private military market due to their experience with NATO equipment and decades of combat history within Colombia.
Investigations indicate that over 300 former soldiers have been contracted to fight in Sudan. These mercenaries have reportedly fought on the front lines, piloted drones, and trained child soldiers. One mercenary admitted to training children and participating in the siege of El Fasher, describing the experience as “awful and crazy.”
The Treasury identified specific individuals running the recruitment and financing operations:
Álvaro Andrés Quijano Becerra: A retired Colombian military officer based in the UAE, accused of being a central recruiter. His wife, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was also sanctioned.
Mateo Andrés Duque Botero: A dual Colombian-Spanish citizen accused of managing the payroll. The US alleges that firms associated with him moved millions of dollars through US-based wire transfers in 2024 and 2025.
Mónica Muñoz Ucros: Sanctioned for managing a company involved in wire transfers linked to the network.
The Colombian government previously issued an apology regarding the involvement of its nationals and recently passed a law ratifying the International Convention Against the Recruitment and Use of Mercenaries to curb this activity.
