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The Washington has imposed sanctions on a network of four people and four firms charged of enlisting Colombian mercenaries to combat alongside and instruct a armed faction in Sudan which the US alleges of genocidal acts.

Operation Structure

Disclosing the sanctions on this week, the American treasury stated the network was primarily made up of individuals and businesses from Colombia.

Numerous of ex-soldiers from Colombia have reportedly travelled to the conflict in Sudan to fight alongside the RSF paramilitary group, a faction accused of severe violations such as ethnically targeted slaughter and mass abductions.

Revelation of Role

The involvement of Colombian fighters first came to light in 2024, prompted by an report which revealed that over three hundred ex-military personnel had been contracted to participate in the war – an discovery that resulted in an unprecedented apology from Colombia’s foreign ministry.

These South American veterans have widely regarded as among the world’s most sought-after mercenaries due to their vast combat experience acquired during years of internal conflict, training on advanced weaponry, and high-level combat training.

Activities in Sudan

In Sudan, the contractors have been accused of teaching underage fighters, taught fighters to pilot drones, and engaged in frontline combat. An individual involved was quoted as saying that working with child soldiers was "awful and crazy" but noted that "unfortunately that’s how war is".

Sanctioned Individuals

Among those targeted was a dual national, a individual with dual citizenship and ex-soldier based in the United Arab Emirates. The US authorities said he had a pivotal function in recruiting and deploying ex-military personnel to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Oliveros, was penalized as well.

Also on the restricted list was Mateo Duque Botero, a dual Colombian-Spanish citizen who the Treasury stated oversaw a company implicated in processing money and salaries for the recruitment operation. "Over the past two years, companies in the United States linked to Duque conducted numerous wire transfers, worth millions," the Treasury statement stated.

Colombian national Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the final person to be sanctioned, with the entity she oversaw said to have conducted wire transfers connected to Duque and his operations.

"The United States again calls on external actors to cease providing funding and arms to the belligerents," the agency said in a statement.

Analyst Commentary

Elizabeth Dickinson, senior analyst at the International Crisis Group, labeled the actions as a "very significant" step, saying that "identifying the recruiters is the right way to go".

Furthermore, Colombia ratified a piece of legislation approving the anti-mercenary convention, seeking to reduce decades of Colombian involvement in foreign conflicts and transform domestic defense strategy.

A mercenary specialist, a authority on private military contractors, called for greater wariness, noting that "restrictions are needed but not enough for combating the growing mercenary trade".

"It operates in the black market and based out of the Emirates, which is difficult to penalize," he said. The United Arab Emirates has been repeatedly implicated of supplying weapons to the paramilitary group, allegations it disputes. "Expect more Colombian mercenaries," the expert cautioned.