The U.S. Treasury Department sanctioned five individuals and entities on Friday for their roles in recruiting former Colombian military personnel to fight in Sudan’s civil war.
The action marks the third anniversary of the conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces, which has triggered famine and one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises.
The Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control designated the targets under Executive Order 14098 for destabilizing Sudan and undermining its democratic transition. The investigation was carried out with U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Office of Field Operations, National Targeting Center, and Miami/Tampa Field Office.
“It is unacceptable that the leaders of the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces have not committed to a humanitarian truce to address the devastating famine created by the civil war in Sudan,” Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent said. “They must act to end this humanitarian crisis immediately.”
The Trump administration called on both sides to accept a three-month humanitarian truce without preconditions to allow aid delivery, protect civilians, and advance ceasefire talks. It also urged external actors to halt financial and military support to the combatants.
Since April 2023, more than 150,000 people have reportedly been killed, more than 14 million displaced, and famine conditions have emerged in areas affected by the fighting. The Rapid Support Forces, led by the previously designated Mohammad Hamdan Daglo Mousa, known as Hemedti, face U.S. determinations of genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity, and ethnic cleansing by its members and allies.
Hundreds of ex-Colombian soldiers have joined the RSF since 2024 in combat and technical roles, including battles in El Fasher. Networks based mostly in Colombia facilitated their deployment.
Previously designated retired Colombian officer Alvaro Andres Quijano Becerra and his wife Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero ran International Services Agency, or A4SI, which recruited drone operators, snipers, and translators. That firm used designated Panama-based Talent Bridge, S.A., formerly Global Staffing S.A., as an intermediary to handle contracts and payments.
Quijano and Oliveros opened Fénix Human Resources S.A.S. in Bogota in February 2025 as A4SI’s replacement. Its nominal manager, designated Jose Libardo Quijano Torres, drew sanctions for his leadership role there.
Former Colombian Army Col. Jose Oscar Garcia Batte, through his firm Global Qowa Al-Basheria S.A.S., also known as Mi Futuro Global or GQAB, knowingly sent ex-soldiers to A4SI and Fénix for RSF service despite knowing their destination. He recruited even unqualified candidates and has placed fighters in Russia’s war against Ukraine on both sides. Treasury also designated Omar Fernando Garcia Batte.
The designations block all U.S.-held assets of the targets and bar most American transactions involving them. Entities 50% or more owned by blocked persons also face freezes. U.S. persons risk civil or criminal penalties for violations.