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The US government has enforced penalties on a network of four individuals and four companies charged of recruiting former Colombian soldiers to fight for and train a armed faction in Sudan that Washington accuses of acts of genocide.

Group Makeup

Revealing the sanctions on this week, the Treasury stated the operation was primarily made up of Colombian citizens and firms.

Hundreds of retired Colombian troops have reportedly travelled to Sudan to combat beside the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a group linked to terrible atrocities such as targeted ethnic killings and mass abductions.

Revelation of Role

The involvement of Colombian fighters initially emerged in 2024, after an inquiry which revealed that more than 300 former soldiers had been contracted to engage in combat – an discovery that resulted in an rare mea culpa from the Colombian government.

These South American veterans have long been considered as some of the most in-demand contractors globally due to their vast combat experience gleaned from decades of civil war, training on advanced weaponry, and superior tactical education.

Reported Actions

In the conflict, the Colombians have reportedly trained minors, instructed militiamen in drone operation, and participated in direct battles. One source previously stated that working with child soldiers was "horrific and irrational" but added that "unfortunately that’s how war is".

Targeted Persons

Among those targeted was a dual national, a dual Colombian-Italian national and ex-soldier operating from the UAE. The US authorities alleged he played a central role in hiring and sending former Colombian soldiers to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Oliveros, was similarly targeted.

Also on the sanctions list was Mateo Andrés Duque Botero, a dual national who the Treasury stated ran a firm accused of handling funds and payroll for the network. "Over the past two years, companies in the United States associated with Duque conducted several money transfers, totalling millions of US dollars," the government release stated.

Citizen of Colombia Mónica Muñoz was the fourth individual to be targeted, with the entity she oversaw accused of wire transfers connected to Duque and his operations.

"Washington reiterates its demand for external actors to halt the flow of funding and arms to the combatants," the agency said in a statement.

Reaction

A senior analyst, with the International Crisis Group, labeled the measures as a "major" milestone, noting that "identifying the recruiters is the right way to go".

Furthermore, Bogotá ratified a statute endorsing the anti-mercenary convention, designed to limit decades of Colombian involvement in overseas wars and change national security policy.

A mercenary specialist, a scholar on the subject, advised additional measures, saying that "sanctions are necessary but insufficient for combating the growing mercenary trade".

"It operates in the black market and centered in the Emirates, which is relatively sanction-proof," he said. The United Arab Emirates has been frequently alleged of arming the RSF, an accusation it has denied. "Expect more Colombian mercenaries," he advised.