🔗 Share this article

The United States has enforced penalties on a group of four people and four firms charged of hiring former Colombian soldiers to fight for and train a militia force in Sudan the United States claims of genocidal acts.

Operation Structure

Revealing the restrictions on this week, the Treasury stated the network was largely composed of individuals and businesses from Colombia.

Scores of ex-soldiers from Colombia have allegedly journeyed to the Sudanese warzone to fight alongside the RSF paramilitary group, a group accused of severe violations such as targeted ethnic killings and large-scale abductions.

Revelation of Role

The participation of ex-soldiers first came to light the previous year, prompted by an inquiry which disclosed that more than 300 ex-military personnel had been recruited to engage in combat – an event that prompted an rare mea culpa from officials in Bogotá.

These South American veterans have long been considered as highly prized fighters in conflict zones due to their considerable warzone knowledge gleaned from a long-running domestic war, familiarity with Western military gear, and elite military instruction.

Role in the Conflict

In Sudan, the contractors have allegedly instructed underage fighters, instructed militiamen in drone operation, and engaged in frontline combat. One source was quoted as saying that training children was "horrific and irrational" but added that "unfortunately that’s how war is".

Sanctioned Individuals

Among those targeted was a retired Colombian officer, a individual with dual citizenship and retired Colombian military officer operating from the United Arab Emirates. The Treasury alleged he played a pivotal function in enlisting and transporting mercenaries to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was penalized as well.

Also on the restricted list was Mateo Andrés Duque Botero, a individual with Colombian and Spanish citizenship who authorities say managed a business linked to managing finances and payments for the recruitment operation. "In 2024 and 2025, American entities connected to Duque conducted multiple financial transactions, worth millions," the government release stated.

Individual Mónica Muñoz was the other individual to be penalized, with the company she managed alleged to have financial transactions associated with Duque and his companies.

"The US once more urges outside forces to cease providing financial and military support to the warring parties," the agency stated.

Expert Analysis

A senior analyst, from a conflict think tank, called the actions as a "very significant" milestone, saying that "identifying the recruiters is the correct approach".

Furthermore, Bogotá recently passed a piece of legislation endorsing the global treaty against mercenarism, seeking to reduce its citizens' long history in foreign conflicts and transform national security policy.

A mercenary specialist, a scholar on the subject, urged more caution, saying that "sanctions are necessary but insufficient for combating rampant mercenarism".

"This is a shadow economy and centered in Dubai, which is relatively sanction-proof," he said. The United Arab Emirates has been frequently alleged of supplying weapons to the paramilitary group, claims it rejects. "More contractors from Colombia are likely," he advised.