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The US government has levied restrictions on a network of four individuals and four companies accused of hiring former Colombian soldiers to fight for and train a armed faction in Sudan the United States claims of committing genocide.

Network Composition

Disclosing the measures on Tuesday, the Treasury stated the operation was mostly comprised of Colombian citizens and firms.

Numerous of ex-soldiers from Colombia have been recruited to go to the conflict in Sudan to combat beside the RSF paramilitary group, a faction linked to severe violations such as ethnically targeted slaughter and widespread kidnappings.

Revelation of Role

The involvement of Colombian fighters was first uncovered in 2024, after an report which found that over three hundred ex-military personnel had been recruited to fight – an event that resulted in an rare mea culpa from the Colombian government.

Former Colombian military have historically been seen as among the world’s most sought-after mercenaries due to their extensive battlefield experience acquired during years of internal conflict, familiarity with Nato equipment, and high-level combat training.

Activities in Sudan

In Sudan, the contractors have allegedly instructed child soldiers, instructed militiamen in drone operation, and participated in direct battles. A mercenary previously stated that working with child soldiers was "horrific and irrational" but noted that "unfortunately that’s how war is".

Sanctioned Individuals

Among those sanctioned was a retired Colombian officer, a individual with dual citizenship and ex-soldier located in the United Arab Emirates. The US authorities alleged he played a key part in hiring and sending former Colombian soldiers to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Oliveros, was also sanctioned.

Also on the sanctions list was Mateo Duque Botero, a dual national who the Treasury stated ran a firm linked to processing money and salaries for the recruitment operation. "Recently, companies in the United States associated with Duque conducted multiple financial transactions, amounting to millions," the Treasury statement noted.

Citizen of Colombia Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the other individual to be sanctioned, with the company she managed said to have conducted money transfers associated with Duque and his operations.

"The US once more urges foreign parties to cease providing monetary and weaponry aid to the warring parties," the department stated.

Reaction

Elizabeth Dickinson, senior analyst at the International Crisis Group, labeled the sanctions as a "major" milestone, stating that "identifying the recruiters is the right way to go".

She added that, the Colombian government has enacted a law ratifying the global treaty against mercenarism, seeking to reduce decades of Colombian involvement in international fights and reshape domestic defense strategy.

Another expert, an expert on mercenaries, urged more caution, stating that "sanctions are necessary but insufficient for dealing with the growing mercenary trade".

"This is a shadow economy and operating from the UAE, which is difficult to penalize," he stated. The UAE has been frequently alleged of supplying weapons to the paramilitary group, allegations it disputes. "This trend will probably continue," McFate warned.