🔗 Share this article

The US government has levied restrictions on a operation of four individuals and four companies charged of hiring former Colombian soldiers to support and educate a Sudanese paramilitary group the United States claims of acts of genocide.

Network Composition

Disclosing the measures on this week, the American treasury stated the operation was largely composed of individuals and businesses from Colombia.

Numerous of ex-soldiers from Colombia have been recruited to go to Sudan to fight alongside the Sudanese RSF militia, a group linked to terrible atrocities encompassing targeted ethnic killings and widespread kidnappings.

Discovery of Participation

The involvement of Colombian fighters was first uncovered in 2024, following an investigation which found that over three hundred former soldiers had been recruited to engage in combat – an revelation that led to an unusual statement of regret from the Colombian government.

Colombian ex-soldiers have historically been seen as among the world’s most sought-after mercenaries due to their considerable warzone knowledge resulting from decades of civil war, knowledge of advanced weaponry, and high-level combat training.

Reported Actions

In the conflict, the Colombians have been accused of teaching minors, taught fighters to pilot drones, and engaged in frontline combat. One source previously stated that working with child soldiers was "terrible and insane" but commented that "sadly, that is the nature of conflict".

Sanctioned Individuals

Among those penalized was a dual national, a citizen of both Colombia and Italy and retired Colombian military officer operating from the Dubai. The Treasury said he had a key part in hiring and sending ex-military personnel to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was similarly targeted.

Also on the sanctions list was Mateo Andrés Duque Botero, a dual Colombian-Spanish citizen who officials alleged oversaw a company linked to managing finances and payments for the recruitment operation. "In 2024 and 2025, companies in the United States linked to Duque engaged in numerous wire transfers, worth millions," the Treasury statement noted.

Individual Mónica Muñoz was the fourth individual to be penalized, with the firm she operated alleged to have wire transfers associated with Duque and his operations.

"The United States again calls on external actors to stop giving financial and military support to the warring parties," the agency stated.

Analyst Commentary

Elizabeth Dickinson, from a conflict think tank, labeled the measures as a "highly important" milestone, stating that "targeting the enablers is the right way to go".

It was also noted that, the Colombian government ratified a piece of legislation endorsing the global treaty against mercenarism, seeking to reduce its citizens' long history in international fights and transform domestic defense strategy.

Sean McFate, a scholar on the subject, advised additional measures, stating that "penalties are required yet incomplete for combating the growing mercenary trade".

"It’s an illicit economy and based out of Dubai, which is difficult to penalize," he commented. The Emirati government has been repeatedly implicated of supplying weapons to the paramilitary group, claims it rejects. "More contractors from Colombia are likely," he advised.