🔗 Share this article

The Washington has levied restrictions on a network of four people and four firms alleged of enlisting Colombian mercenaries to combat alongside and instruct a militia force in Sudan which the US alleges of committing genocide.

Network Composition

Revealing the restrictions on Tuesday, the Treasury stated the operation was primarily made up of Colombian citizens and firms.

Numerous of former Colombian military personnel have allegedly journeyed to the conflict in Sudan to combat beside the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a faction linked to horrific war crimes encompassing massacres based on ethnicity and large-scale abductions.

Revelation of Role

The participation of ex-soldiers initially emerged in 2024, following an inquiry which found that hundreds of ex-military personnel had been hired to engage in combat – an discovery that led to an unprecedented apology from the Colombian government.

Colombian ex-soldiers have long been considered as among the world’s most sought-after mercenaries due to their considerable warzone knowledge acquired during years of internal conflict, familiarity with Nato equipment, and superior tactical education.

Reported Actions

In the conflict, the Colombians have reportedly trained underage fighters, instructed militiamen in drone operation, and fought directly on the frontlines. An individual involved remarked that instructing minors was "horrific and irrational" but noted that "sadly, that is the nature of conflict".

Sanctioned Individuals

Among those sanctioned was a retired Colombian officer, a citizen of both Colombia and Italy and retired Colombian military officer located in the United Arab Emirates. The Treasury said he had a central role in enlisting and transporting mercenaries to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Oliveros, was similarly targeted.

Also on the restricted list was Duque Botero, a dual Colombian-Spanish citizen who officials alleged oversaw a company implicated in processing money and salaries for the scheme. "In 2024 and 2025, companies in the United States connected to Duque carried out multiple financial transactions, worth millions," the official announcement said.

Colombian national Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the other individual to be sanctioned, with the company she managed alleged to have financial transactions associated with Duque and his operations.

"The US once more urges external actors to stop giving funding and arms to the combatants," the Treasury said in a statement.

Reaction

Elizabeth Dickinson, with the International Crisis Group, labeled the measures as a "highly important" milestone, saying that "targeting the enablers is the correct approach".

It was also noted that, Bogotá ratified a law endorsing the International Convention Against the Recruitment and Use of Mercenaries, seeking to reduce years of participation by its nationals in overseas wars and transform its security approach.

A mercenary specialist, an expert on mercenaries, advised additional measures, stating that "sanctions are necessary but insufficient 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. "This trend will probably continue," McFate warned.