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The United States has enforced penalties on a network of four people and four firms accused of recruiting former Colombian soldiers to combat alongside and instruct a Sudanese paramilitary group which the US alleges of committing genocide.

Operation Structure

Revealing the restrictions on this week, the Treasury stated the operation was primarily made up of individuals and businesses from Colombia.

Numerous of ex-soldiers from Colombia have reportedly travelled to the conflict in Sudan to operate with the RSF paramilitary group, a faction accused of terrible atrocities including targeted ethnic killings and mass abductions.

Emergence of Involvement

The role of these mercenaries initially emerged in 2024, following an inquiry which disclosed that hundreds of ex-military personnel had been recruited to engage in combat – an revelation that resulted in an unprecedented apology from Colombia’s foreign ministry.

These South American veterans have historically been seen as among the world’s most sought-after mercenaries due to their vast combat experience acquired during a long-running domestic war, training on advanced weaponry, and elite military instruction.

Activities in Sudan

In the conflict, the Colombians have allegedly instructed child soldiers, taught fighters to pilot drones, and fought directly on the frontlines. One source was quoted as saying that working with child soldiers was "awful and crazy" but added that "unfortunately that’s how war is".

Sanctioned Individuals

Among those sanctioned was a retired Colombian officer, a individual with dual citizenship and retired Colombian military officer operating from the Dubai. The Treasury alleged he played a pivotal function in enlisting and transporting former Colombian soldiers to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Oliveros, was penalized as well.

Also on the penalty list was Mateo Andrés Duque Botero, a dual national who authorities say oversaw a company accused of processing money and salaries for the network. "Over the past two years, companies in the United States associated with Duque conducted several money transfers, totalling millions of US dollars," the official announcement noted.

Individual Mónica Muñoz was the final person to be sanctioned, with the entity she oversaw alleged to have money transfers associated with Duque and his operations.

"The United States again calls on external actors to halt the flow of funding and arms to the combatants," the department stated.

Reaction

An expert, senior analyst at the International Crisis Group, called the sanctions as a "major" development, noting that "identifying the recruiters is the proper strategy".

Furthermore, the Colombian government ratified a law ratifying the global treaty against mercenarism, aiming to curb its citizens' long history in foreign conflicts and transform its security approach.

Sean McFate, a scholar on the subject, advised additional measures, saying that "sanctions are necessary but insufficient for combating rampant mercenarism".

"It’s an illicit economy and centered in the Emirates, which is relatively sanction-proof," he stated. The UAE has been frequently alleged of arming the RSF, an accusation it has denied. "This trend will probably continue," he advised.