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The US government has imposed sanctions on a network of several persons and entities alleged of recruiting former Colombian soldiers to combat alongside and instruct a Sudanese paramilitary group which the US alleges of acts of genocide.

Network Composition

Announcing the measures on this week, the American treasury stated the operation was mostly comprised of individuals and businesses from Colombia.

Hundreds of ex-soldiers from Colombia have been recruited to go to Sudan to fight alongside the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a faction linked to severe violations encompassing targeted ethnic killings and widespread kidnappings.

Emergence of Involvement

The role of these mercenaries first came to light in 2024, prompted by an report which disclosed that more than 300 retired troops had been hired to participate in the war – an revelation that prompted an rare mea culpa from officials in Bogotá.

Former Colombian military have long been considered as highly prized fighters in conflict zones due to their considerable warzone knowledge gleaned from a long-running domestic war, training on advanced weaponry, and high-level combat training.

Role in the Conflict

In Sudan, the Colombians have been accused of teaching minors, instructed militiamen in drone operation, and fought directly on the frontlines. An individual involved remarked that training children was "horrific and irrational" but commented that "regrettably, war operates that way".

Sanctioned Individuals

Among those sanctioned was a dual national, a dual Colombian-Italian national and retired Colombian military officer based in the Dubai. The Treasury accused him a key part in enlisting and transporting former Colombian soldiers to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Oliveros, was similarly targeted.

Also on the sanctions list was Mateo Duque Botero, a dual Colombian-Spanish citizen who the Treasury stated oversaw a company implicated in handling funds and payroll for the scheme. "In 2024 and 2025, US-based firms connected to Duque conducted multiple financial transactions, worth millions," the Treasury statement stated.

Individual Mónica Muñoz was the final person to be targeted, with the company she managed alleged to have money transfers connected to Duque and his companies.

"Washington reiterates its demand for foreign parties to cease providing funding and arms to the belligerents," the department announced.

Reaction

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

Furthermore, the Colombian government has enacted a statute ratifying the global treaty against mercenarism, seeking to reduce years of participation by its nationals in overseas wars and transform its security approach.

A mercenary specialist, a scholar on the subject, advised additional measures, stating that "restrictions are needed but not enough for addressing widespread use of contractors".

"It’s an illicit economy and centered in the UAE, which is difficult to penalize," he commented. The United Arab Emirates has been frequently alleged of providing arms to the militia, an accusation it has denied. "This trend will probably continue," McFate warned.