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The United States has enforced penalties on a network of several persons and entities accused of hiring former Colombian soldiers to fight for and train a armed faction in Sudan that Washington accuses of genocidal acts.

Network Composition

Disclosing the measures on this week, the Treasury stated the network was primarily made up of Colombian citizens and firms.

Scores of ex-soldiers from Colombia have allegedly journeyed to the Sudanese warzone to fight alongside the Sudanese RSF militia, a faction implicated in horrific war crimes including massacres based on ethnicity and mass abductions.

Discovery of Participation

The participation of ex-soldiers was first uncovered in 2024, following an inquiry which disclosed that over three hundred retired troops had been hired to participate in the war – an revelation that prompted an unprecedented apology from Colombia’s foreign ministry.

Former Colombian military have long been considered as highly prized fighters in conflict zones due to their extensive battlefield experience acquired during decades of civil war, knowledge of Nato equipment, and elite military instruction.

Activities in Sudan

In Sudan, the contractors have reportedly trained child soldiers, instructed militiamen in drone operation, and fought directly on the frontlines. A mercenary previously stated that instructing minors was "awful and crazy" but noted that "sadly, that is the nature of conflict".

Sanctioned Individuals

Among those penalized was a retired Colombian officer, a citizen of both Colombia and Italy and ex-soldier based in the United Arab Emirates. The government accused him a key part in enlisting and transporting ex-military personnel to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Oliveros, was similarly targeted.

Also on the penalty list was Mateo Andrés Duque Botero, a dual national who authorities say managed a business implicated in handling funds and payroll for the scheme. "Recently, American entities associated with Duque engaged in several money transfers, amounting to millions," the government release said.

Citizen of Colombia Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the other individual to be sanctioned, with the company she managed alleged to have money transfers linked to Duque and his businesses.

"Washington reiterates its demand for foreign parties to stop giving financial and military support to the combatants," the agency stated.

Reaction

An expert, from a conflict think tank, described the measures as a "highly important" development, saying that "targeting the enablers is the proper strategy".

It was also noted that, the Colombian government recently passed a law ratifying the International Convention Against the Recruitment and Use of Mercenaries, aiming to curb its citizens' long history in foreign conflicts and reshape domestic defense strategy.

Another expert, an expert on mercenaries, urged more caution, noting that "penalties are required yet incomplete for dealing with rampant mercenarism".

"It’s an illicit economy and operating from the Emirates, which is relatively sanction-proof," he stated. The Emirati government has been repeatedly implicated of providing arms to the militia, claims it rejects. "More contractors from Colombia are likely," the expert cautioned.