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The US government has enforced penalties on a operation of four individuals and four companies accused of enlisting former Colombian soldiers to fight for and train a armed faction in Sudan the United States claims of committing genocide.

Network Composition

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

Hundreds of ex-soldiers from Colombia have allegedly journeyed to the conflict in Sudan to combat beside the RSF paramilitary group, a force accused of horrific war crimes such as massacres based on ethnicity and mass abductions.

Emergence of Involvement

The involvement of Colombian fighters initially emerged in 2024, after an inquiry which revealed that more than 300 ex-military personnel had been recruited to fight – an revelation that prompted an unusual statement of regret from officials in Bogotá.

Former Colombian military have long been considered as some of the most in-demand contractors globally due to their extensive battlefield experience acquired during decades of civil war, knowledge of advanced weaponry, and high-level combat training.

Activities in Sudan

In the Sudanese theater, the contractors have allegedly instructed child soldiers, taught fighters to pilot drones, and participated in direct battles. A mercenary remarked that instructing minors was "terrible and insane" but commented that "sadly, that is the nature of conflict".

Sanctioned Individuals

Among those targeted was a dual national, a dual Colombian-Italian national and former army officer operating from the UAE. The US authorities said he had a central role in enlisting and transporting ex-military personnel to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was penalized as well.

Also on the penalty list was Mateo Duque Botero, a dual Colombian-Spanish citizen who the Treasury stated managed a business linked to managing finances and payments for the scheme. "Recently, American entities associated with Duque conducted multiple financial transactions, amounting to millions," the official announcement noted.

Colombian national Mónica Muñoz was the final person to be penalized, with the entity she oversaw accused of wire transfers associated with Duque and his companies.

"Washington reiterates its demand for foreign parties to halt the flow of funding and arms to the combatants," the Treasury stated.

Analyst Commentary

Elizabeth Dickinson, senior analyst at the International Crisis Group, described the measures as a "major" development, saying that "calling out those who are doing the contracting is the right way to go".

She added that, Colombia has enacted a statute endorsing the global treaty against mercenarism, aiming to curb decades of Colombian involvement in foreign conflicts and transform national security policy.

Sean McFate, an expert on mercenaries, advised additional measures, saying that "restrictions are needed but not enough for combating the growing mercenary trade".

"It’s an illicit economy and operating from the UAE, which is largely insulated from sanctions," he stated. The United Arab Emirates has been widely accused of supplying weapons to the paramilitary group, an accusation it has denied. "More contractors from Colombia are likely," McFate warned.