Washington Imposes New Sanctions on Colombian Recruitment Network over Role in Sudan War
Washington – Sudanhorizon
The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), an affiliate of the United States Department of the Treasury, announced on Friday sanctions against five individuals and entities involved in recruiting and deploying former Colombian military personnel to Sudan to fight alongside the Rapid Support Forces. The network is said to have fuelled the conflict in Sudan.
The US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated in a press release: “It is unacceptable that leaders of the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces have failed to adhere to a humanitarian ceasefire to address the devastating famine caused by the civil war in Sudan. They must act immediately to end this humanitarian crisis.”
He added that the action was taken pursuant to Executive Order 14098, which imposes sanctions on individuals who destabilise Sudan and undermine the goal of democratic transition.
OFAC conducted its investigation into the designated individuals and entities in coordination with several US agencies, including US Customs and Border Protection, the Office of Field Operations, the National Targeting Centre, and the Miami/Tampa Field Office.
The statement noted that the Rapid Support Forces have been employing foreign fighters to destabilise Sudan, and that they, along with allied militias led by Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo—who was designated by OFAC on 7 January 2025—have carried out summary executions, ethnically motivated attacks, sexual and gender-based violence, and torture across areas under their control. These include incidents in El Geneina in 2023 and in El Fasher during 2024 and 2025.
The statement further indicated that in January 2025, the United States Department of State determined that members of the Rapid Support Forces and allied militias had committed genocide in Sudan. In December 2023, the Department had concluded that RSF elements had committed war crimes, crimes against humanity, and ethnic cleansing.
According to the statement, since 2024, hundreds of former Colombian soldiers have travelled to Sudan to support the RSF, serving in both combat and technical roles and participating in battles across the country, including in El Fasher. Their involvement was facilitated through networks of individuals and companies, most of them based in Colombia.
Those designated under the sanctions include:
Retired Colombian military officer Álvaro Andrés Quijano Becerra (Quijano), previously sanctioned by OFAC on 9 December 2025, for playing a central role in recruiting and deploying former Colombian military personnel to Sudan.
Fénix Human Resources S.A.S., a Bogotá-based recruitment agency founded by Quijano and Oliveros in February 2025 as a successor to A4SI. Its official director is Colombian national José Libardo Quijano Torres.
José Óscar García Baty, a Colombian national and former army colonel, is the owner of the global recruitment firm GQAB (also known as “Mi Futuro Global”), headquartered in Bogotá.
José Libardo Quijano Torres, board member and executive of Fénix.
GQAB, a company owned or controlled by an individual directly linked to José García Baty.
Omar García Baty, a board member, senior figure, and executive at Fénix.
These measures underscore Washington’s efforts to target transnational networks contributing to the prolongation of the Sudanese conflict.
Shortlink: https://sudanhorizon.com/?p=13018