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The United States has imposed sanctions on a operation of several persons and entities accused of hiring Colombian mercenaries to support and educate a militia force in Sudan the United States claims of committing genocide.

Operation Structure

Revealing the restrictions on this week, the Treasury stated the network was mostly comprised of Colombian citizens and firms.

Numerous of ex-soldiers from Colombia have allegedly journeyed to the Sudanese warzone to combat beside the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a force accused of severe violations such as ethnically targeted slaughter and mass abductions.

Revelation of Role

The participation of ex-soldiers initially emerged in 2024, prompted by an investigation which disclosed that over three hundred ex-military personnel had been recruited to participate in the war – an discovery that led to an unusual statement of regret from officials in Bogotá.

Colombian ex-soldiers have historically been seen as highly prized fighters in conflict zones due to their vast combat experience acquired during a long-running domestic war, knowledge of advanced weaponry, and superior tactical education.

Role in the Conflict

In the conflict, the Colombians have reportedly trained child soldiers, instructed militiamen in drone operation, and fought directly on the frontlines. One source was quoted as saying that working with child soldiers was "horrific and irrational" but noted that "unfortunately that’s how war is".

Named Entities

Among those targeted was a dual national, a individual with dual citizenship and ex-soldier based in the United Arab Emirates. The Treasury said he had a central role in recruiting and deploying former Colombian soldiers to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Oliveros, was penalized as well.

Also on the sanctions list was Mateo Andrés Duque Botero, a individual with Colombian and Spanish citizenship who authorities say oversaw a company linked to managing finances and payments for the network. "Recently, companies in the United States associated with Duque conducted several money transfers, amounting to millions," the Treasury statement stated.

Individual Mónica Muñoz was the other individual to be targeted, with the firm she operated accused of money transfers linked to Duque and his companies.

"Washington reiterates its demand for external actors to halt the flow of financial and military support to the belligerents," the Treasury announced.

Reaction

An expert, senior analyst at the International Crisis Group, called the measures as a "major" step, saying that "calling out those who are doing the contracting is the right way to go".

It was also noted that, Colombia recently passed a law ratifying the anti-mercenary convention, designed to limit decades of Colombian involvement in overseas wars and change domestic defense strategy.

Sean McFate, a scholar on the subject, called for greater wariness, saying that "penalties are required yet incomplete for addressing rampant mercenarism".

"It operates in the black market and operating from Dubai, which is difficult to penalize," he stated. The UAE has been frequently alleged of supplying weapons to the paramilitary group, an accusation it has denied. "Expect more Colombian mercenaries," McFate warned.