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The US government has enforced penalties on a network of several persons and entities accused of recruiting Colombian mercenaries to combat alongside and instruct a armed faction in Sudan that Washington accuses of genocidal acts.

Group Makeup

Announcing the restrictions on Tuesday, the American treasury stated the operation was mostly comprised of individuals and businesses from Colombia.

Scores of ex-soldiers from Colombia have been recruited to go to the Sudanese warzone to operate with the RSF paramilitary group, a force accused of horrific war crimes such as massacres based on ethnicity and mass abductions.

Revelation of Role

The role of these mercenaries initially emerged in 2024, following an investigation which found that over three hundred ex-military personnel had been hired to participate in the war – an revelation that prompted an unusual statement of regret from the Colombian government.

These South American veterans have widely regarded as highly prized fighters in conflict zones due to their vast combat experience acquired during years of internal conflict, knowledge of advanced weaponry, and high-level combat training.

Reported Actions

In Sudan, the contractors have been accused of teaching underage fighters, provided drone warfare training, and participated in direct battles. A mercenary remarked that training children was "horrific and irrational" but noted that "sadly, that is the nature of conflict".

Named Entities

Among those sanctioned was a dual national, a citizen of both Colombia and Italy and retired Colombian military officer based in the United Arab Emirates. The Treasury accused him a central role in hiring and sending mercenaries to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was similarly targeted.

Also on the sanctions list was Duque Botero, a individual with Colombian and Spanish citizenship who officials alleged managed a business implicated in processing money and salaries for the recruitment operation. "Over the past two years, companies in the United States connected to Duque engaged in numerous wire transfers, worth millions," the official announcement stated.

Citizen of Colombia Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the fourth individual to be penalized, with the company she managed accused of money transfers linked to Duque and his companies.

"The US once more urges outside forces to stop giving financial and military support to the combatants," the department announced.

Reaction

Elizabeth Dickinson, from a conflict think tank, called the actions as a "major" development, stating that "identifying the recruiters is the proper strategy".

Furthermore, the Colombian government recently passed a piece of legislation endorsing the International Convention Against the Recruitment and Use of Mercenaries, seeking to reduce its citizens' long history in foreign conflicts and reshape national security policy.

Sean McFate, an expert on mercenaries, urged more caution, stating that "restrictions are needed but not enough for addressing widespread use of contractors".

"It operates in the black market and based out of the UAE, which is largely insulated from sanctions," he stated. The Emirati government has been frequently alleged of providing arms to the militia, claims it rejects. "This trend will probably continue," he advised.