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The Washington has enforced penalties on a network of several persons and entities accused of hiring Colombian mercenaries to fight for and train a armed faction in Sudan which the US alleges of acts of genocide.

Network Composition

Announcing the measures on Tuesday, the American treasury stated the scheme was mostly comprised of Colombian nationals and companies.

Scores of ex-soldiers from Colombia have allegedly journeyed to the conflict in Sudan to fight alongside the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a group implicated in severe violations such as targeted ethnic killings and large-scale abductions.

Discovery of Participation

The involvement of Colombian fighters initially emerged in 2024, following an inquiry which found that over three hundred retired troops had been contracted to engage in combat – an discovery that prompted an unprecedented apology from officials in Bogotá.

These South American veterans have widely regarded as highly prized fighters in conflict zones due to their extensive battlefield experience gleaned from decades of civil war, familiarity with Western military gear, and elite military instruction.

Role in the Conflict

In the Sudanese theater, the contractors have allegedly instructed minors, taught fighters to pilot drones, and participated in direct battles. One source remarked that working with child soldiers was "horrific and irrational" but added that "sadly, that is the nature of conflict".

Targeted Persons

Among those penalized was a dual national, a dual Colombian-Italian national and retired Colombian military officer located in the United Arab Emirates. The Treasury alleged he played a central role in enlisting and transporting ex-military personnel to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Oliveros, was similarly targeted.

Also on the restricted list was Duque Botero, a dual Colombian-Spanish citizen who the Treasury stated managed a business accused of handling funds and payroll for the recruitment operation. "Recently, US-based firms associated with Duque engaged in several money transfers, worth millions," the official announcement said.

Individual Mónica Muñoz was the final person to be targeted, with the company she managed said to have conducted financial transactions associated with Duque and his companies.

"The US once more urges external actors to stop giving monetary and weaponry aid to the warring parties," the Treasury said in a statement.

Reaction

An expert, senior analyst at the International Crisis Group, called the actions as a "highly important" milestone, noting that "identifying the recruiters is the correct approach".

It was also noted that, Bogotá has enacted a piece of legislation approving the global treaty against mercenarism, designed to limit years of participation by its nationals in international fights and transform its security approach.

Another expert, a scholar on the subject, advised additional measures, stating that "penalties are required yet incomplete for dealing with widespread use of contractors".

"This is a shadow economy and operating from Dubai, which is difficult to penalize," he stated. The United Arab Emirates has been frequently alleged of providing arms to the militia, allegations it disputes. "Expect more Colombian mercenaries," he advised.