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The Washington has enforced penalties on a operation of several persons and entities charged of recruiting Colombian mercenaries to fight for and train a Sudanese paramilitary group that Washington accuses of acts of genocide.

Network Composition

Announcing the restrictions on this week, the US Treasury Department stated the operation was primarily made up of Colombian nationals and companies.

Numerous of ex-soldiers from Colombia have reportedly travelled to Sudan to combat beside the RSF paramilitary group, a force accused of terrible atrocities such as ethnically targeted slaughter and widespread kidnappings.

Emergence of Involvement

The role of these mercenaries initially emerged in 2024, prompted by an inquiry which revealed that over three hundred ex-military personnel had been hired to fight – an revelation that prompted an rare mea culpa from officials in Bogotá.

Former Colombian military have widely regarded as highly prized fighters in conflict zones due to their extensive battlefield experience acquired during decades of civil war, familiarity with Western military gear, and elite military instruction.

Activities in Sudan

In the Sudanese theater, the mercenaries have reportedly trained child soldiers, taught fighters to pilot drones, and fought directly on the frontlines. A mercenary previously stated that instructing minors was "horrific and irrational" but added that "regrettably, war operates that way".

Sanctioned Individuals

Among those penalized was a retired Colombian officer, a dual Colombian-Italian national and former army officer operating from the Dubai. The government said he had a key part in enlisting and transporting ex-military personnel to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was penalized as well.

Also on the restricted list was Mateo Duque Botero, a dual national who officials alleged managed a business accused of handling funds and payroll for the recruitment operation. "In 2024 and 2025, companies in the United States linked to Duque engaged in multiple financial transactions, totalling millions of US dollars," the official announcement stated.

Citizen of Colombia Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the final person to be targeted, with the company she managed said to have conducted financial transactions connected to Duque and his companies.

"Washington reiterates its demand for external actors to stop giving monetary and weaponry aid to the combatants," the Treasury said in a statement.

Expert Analysis

Elizabeth Dickinson, with the International Crisis Group, described the actions as a "highly important" step, noting that "identifying the recruiters is the correct approach".

She added that, Colombia has enacted a statute ratifying the global treaty against mercenarism, aiming to curb its citizens' long history in foreign conflicts and reshape its security approach.

Sean McFate, an expert on mercenaries, urged more caution, noting that "restrictions are needed but not enough for dealing with rampant mercenarism".

"This is a shadow economy and operating from the Emirates, which is relatively sanction-proof," he said. The Emirati government has been frequently alleged of providing arms to the militia, an accusation it has denied. "Expect more Colombian mercenaries," he advised.