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The United States has levied restrictions on a network of several persons and entities alleged of enlisting former Colombian soldiers to fight for and train a armed faction in Sudan the United States claims of acts of genocide.

Network Composition

Revealing the sanctions on Tuesday, the US Treasury Department stated the operation was largely composed of Colombian nationals and companies.

Scores of former Colombian military personnel have reportedly travelled to the Sudanese warzone to combat beside the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a force linked to severe violations such as ethnically targeted slaughter and large-scale abductions.

Revelation of Role

The participation of ex-soldiers first came to light in 2024, prompted by an investigation which revealed that hundreds of ex-military personnel had been hired to fight – an discovery that prompted an rare mea culpa from Colombia’s foreign ministry.

These South American veterans have long been considered as among the world’s most sought-after mercenaries due to their considerable warzone knowledge acquired during decades of civil war, training on Nato equipment, and high-level combat training.

Role in the Conflict

In the conflict, the Colombians have allegedly instructed minors, taught fighters to pilot drones, and participated in direct battles. A mercenary previously stated that working with child soldiers was "horrific and irrational" but commented 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 ex-soldier operating from the Dubai. The government said he had a pivotal function in recruiting and deploying ex-military personnel to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was similarly targeted.

Also on the restricted list was Duque Botero, a dual Colombian-Spanish citizen who officials alleged oversaw a company accused of managing finances and payments for the scheme. "Over the past two years, American entities connected to Duque conducted multiple financial transactions, amounting to millions," the Treasury statement noted.

Citizen of Colombia Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the fourth individual to be penalized, with the firm she operated said to have conducted wire transfers associated with Duque and his companies.

"The United States again calls on outside forces to cease providing monetary and weaponry aid to the warring parties," the department said in a statement.

Reaction

Elizabeth Dickinson, with the International Crisis Group, described the actions as a "very significant" step, saying that "identifying the recruiters is the right way to go".

Furthermore, the Colombian government ratified a statute approving the anti-mercenary convention, aiming to curb years of participation by its nationals in international fights and reshape its security approach.

A mercenary specialist, a authority on private military contractors, advised additional measures, noting that "restrictions are needed but not enough for combating widespread use of contractors".

"It’s an illicit economy and centered in the Emirates, which is relatively sanction-proof," he said. The United Arab Emirates has been repeatedly implicated of supplying weapons to the paramilitary group, allegations it disputes. "Expect more Colombian mercenaries," McFate warned.