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The US government has levied restrictions on a network of several persons and entities charged of recruiting former Colombian soldiers to support and educate a armed faction in Sudan that Washington accuses of acts of genocide.

Operation Structure

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

Hundreds of former Colombian military personnel have allegedly journeyed to Sudan to combat beside the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a faction implicated in terrible atrocities including ethnically targeted slaughter and large-scale abductions.

Revelation of Role

The involvement of Colombian fighters first came to light in 2024, after an investigation which revealed that more than 300 ex-military personnel had been hired to engage in combat – an revelation that led to an rare mea culpa from officials in Bogotá.

These South American veterans have widely regarded as some of the most in-demand contractors globally due to their extensive battlefield experience acquired during years of internal conflict, familiarity with advanced weaponry, and superior tactical education.

Activities in Sudan

In the conflict, the mercenaries have been accused of teaching minors, provided drone warfare training, and engaged in frontline combat. A mercenary remarked that instructing minors was "terrible and insane" but added that "unfortunately that’s how war is".

Targeted Persons

Among those penalized was a dual national, a citizen of both Colombia and Italy and former army officer based in the UAE. The US authorities said he had a central role in enlisting and transporting mercenaries to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Oliveros, was also sanctioned.

Also on the penalty list was Mateo Andrés Duque Botero, a dual national who authorities say oversaw a company linked to handling funds and payroll for the network. "Recently, American entities linked to Duque conducted numerous wire transfers, worth millions," the government release said.

Individual Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the final person to be targeted, with the company she managed accused of money transfers connected to Duque and his operations.

"The United States again calls on outside forces to halt the flow of financial and military support to the combatants," the agency announced.

Expert Analysis

A senior analyst, from a conflict think tank, called the sanctions as a "highly important" development, saying that "identifying the recruiters is the proper strategy".

She added that, Colombia ratified a law endorsing the anti-mercenary convention, aiming to curb years of participation by its nationals in overseas wars and reshape national security policy.

Another expert, an expert on mercenaries, advised additional measures, noting that "restrictions are needed but not enough for addressing the growing mercenary trade".

"It’s an illicit economy and based out of the UAE, which is difficult to penalize," he commented. The United Arab Emirates has been widely accused of providing arms to the militia, allegations it disputes. "Expect more Colombian mercenaries," McFate warned.