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The US government has enforced penalties on a network of four individuals and four companies charged of recruiting Colombian mercenaries to combat alongside and instruct a militia force in Sudan the United States claims of genocidal acts.

Operation Structure

Disclosing the measures on Tuesday, the US Treasury Department stated the scheme was largely composed of Colombian citizens and firms.

Hundreds of ex-soldiers from Colombia have reportedly travelled to the conflict in Sudan to fight alongside the Sudanese RSF militia, a force implicated in horrific war crimes including massacres based on ethnicity and mass abductions.

Discovery of Participation

The participation of ex-soldiers initially emerged in 2024, prompted by an inquiry which found that hundreds of ex-military personnel had been recruited to participate in the war – an revelation that led to an rare mea culpa from officials in Bogotá.

These South American veterans have long been considered as among the world’s most sought-after mercenaries due to their extensive battlefield experience gleaned from decades of civil war, knowledge of Nato equipment, and high-level combat training.

Role in the Conflict

In Sudan, the Colombians have allegedly instructed child soldiers, provided drone warfare training, and engaged in frontline combat. An individual involved remarked that training children was "awful and crazy" but noted that "sadly, that is the nature of conflict".

Sanctioned Individuals

Among those targeted was a dual national, a citizen of both Colombia and Italy and retired Colombian military officer operating from the United Arab Emirates. The government accused him a central role in enlisting and transporting mercenaries to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Oliveros, was similarly targeted.

Also on the sanctions list was Mateo Andrés Duque Botero, a dual national who authorities say managed a business accused of processing money and salaries for the network. "Over the past two years, US-based firms connected to Duque engaged in numerous wire transfers, amounting to millions," the Treasury statement noted.

Colombian national Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the other individual to be penalized, with the company she managed alleged to have financial transactions linked to Duque and his businesses.

"The United States again calls on outside forces to cease providing funding and arms to the belligerents," the agency announced.

Analyst Commentary

A senior analyst, from a conflict think tank, labeled the sanctions as a "major" step, saying that "targeting the enablers is the correct approach".

Furthermore, Colombia has enacted a statute approving the International Convention Against the Recruitment and Use of Mercenaries, aiming to curb decades of Colombian involvement in international fights and reshape national security policy.

Sean McFate, an expert on mercenaries, advised additional measures, noting that "penalties are required yet incomplete for dealing with widespread use of contractors".

"It’s an illicit economy and operating from Dubai, which is relatively sanction-proof," he commented. The UAE has been frequently alleged of arming the RSF, allegations it disputes. "This trend will probably continue," the expert cautioned.