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The Washington has levied restrictions on a network of four individuals and four companies charged of hiring former Colombian soldiers to fight for and train a militia force in Sudan that Washington accuses of committing genocide.

Operation Structure

Revealing the restrictions on this week, the Treasury stated the operation was largely composed of individuals and businesses from Colombia.

Hundreds of ex-soldiers from Colombia have allegedly journeyed to the conflict in Sudan to combat beside the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a faction accused of severe violations such as massacres based on ethnicity and large-scale abductions.

Emergence of Involvement

The participation of ex-soldiers initially emerged in 2024, following an investigation which disclosed that more than 300 retired troops had been recruited to participate in the war – an event that led to an unprecedented apology from the Colombian government.

These South American veterans have historically been seen as highly prized fighters in conflict zones due to their considerable warzone knowledge gleaned from a long-running domestic war, knowledge of advanced weaponry, and elite military instruction.

Reported Actions

In Sudan, the Colombians have allegedly instructed minors, provided drone warfare training, and fought directly on the frontlines. A mercenary remarked that working with child soldiers was "terrible and insane" but noted that "unfortunately that’s how war is".

Targeted Persons

Among those penalized was a dual national, a citizen of both Colombia and Italy and retired Colombian military officer operating from the UAE. The Treasury said he had a pivotal function in recruiting and deploying ex-military personnel to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was penalized as well.

Also on the sanctions list was Mateo Duque Botero, a dual national who officials alleged managed a business implicated in handling funds and payroll for the recruitment operation. "Recently, US-based firms connected to Duque conducted several money transfers, amounting to millions," the Treasury statement stated.

Colombian national Mónica Muñoz was the fourth individual to be sanctioned, with the company she managed accused of financial transactions connected to Duque and his companies.

"The US once more urges external actors to cease providing monetary and weaponry aid to the warring parties," the Treasury stated.

Analyst Commentary

An expert, senior analyst at the International Crisis Group, described the sanctions as a "very significant" step, saying that "identifying the recruiters is the right way to go".

She added that, Colombia has enacted a piece of legislation approving the International Convention Against the Recruitment and Use of Mercenaries, aiming to curb years of participation by its nationals in foreign conflicts and change domestic defense strategy.

Another expert, a scholar on the subject, advised additional measures, noting that "penalties are required yet incomplete for addressing rampant mercenarism".

"This is a shadow economy and based out of the Emirates, which is relatively sanction-proof," he commented. The United Arab Emirates has been widely accused of supplying weapons to the paramilitary group, allegations it disputes. "This trend will probably continue," McFate warned.