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The US government has levied restrictions on a network of several persons and entities alleged of recruiting former Colombian soldiers to support and educate a militia force in Sudan which the US alleges of genocidal acts.

Group Makeup

Announcing the sanctions on this week, the American treasury stated the network was mostly comprised of Colombian citizens and firms.

Hundreds of retired Colombian troops have been recruited to go to the conflict in Sudan to fight alongside the RSF paramilitary group, a group accused of terrible atrocities such as massacres based on ethnicity and mass abductions.

Discovery of Participation

The participation of ex-soldiers first came to light in 2024, after an investigation which revealed that over three hundred former soldiers had been recruited to engage in combat – an event that prompted an unusual statement of regret from officials in Bogotá.

Colombian ex-soldiers have widely regarded as among the world’s most sought-after mercenaries due to their considerable warzone knowledge acquired during a long-running domestic war, familiarity with Western military gear, and elite military instruction.

Role in the Conflict

In Sudan, the mercenaries have allegedly instructed minors, taught fighters to pilot drones, and fought directly on the frontlines. A mercenary remarked that working with child soldiers was "horrific and irrational" but noted that "sadly, that is the nature of conflict".

Named Entities

Among those penalized was a dual national, a individual with dual citizenship and former army officer based in the UAE. The government alleged he played a central role in hiring and sending mercenaries to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Oliveros, was penalized as well.

Also on the penalty list was Mateo Andrés Duque Botero, a dual Colombian-Spanish citizen who officials alleged ran a firm linked to managing finances and payments for the network. "Over the past two years, US-based firms linked to Duque carried out numerous wire transfers, amounting to millions," the government release stated.

Individual Mónica Muñoz was the fourth individual to be sanctioned, with the company she managed alleged to have money transfers linked to Duque and his companies.

"Washington reiterates its demand for external actors to cease providing financial and military support to the combatants," the agency stated.

Analyst Commentary

Elizabeth Dickinson, from a conflict think tank, called the actions as a "major" milestone, noting that "identifying the recruiters is the correct approach".

She added that, Colombia recently passed a law ratifying the global treaty against mercenarism, seeking to reduce its citizens' long history in foreign conflicts and reshape national security policy.

Sean McFate, a scholar on the subject, called for greater wariness, saying that "restrictions are needed but not enough for dealing with widespread use of contractors".

"This is a shadow economy and operating from Dubai, which is difficult to penalize," he stated. The Emirati government has been frequently alleged of arming the RSF, claims it rejects. "More contractors from Colombia are likely," he advised.