🔗 Share this article

The United States has imposed sanctions on a group of several persons and entities accused of recruiting former Colombian soldiers to combat alongside and instruct a militia force in Sudan which the US alleges of acts of genocide.

Group Makeup

Disclosing the sanctions on Tuesday, the Treasury stated the operation was mostly comprised of individuals and businesses from Colombia.

Hundreds of ex-soldiers from Colombia have allegedly journeyed to Sudan to fight alongside the RSF paramilitary group, a faction accused of severe violations encompassing ethnically targeted slaughter and widespread kidnappings.

Discovery of Participation

The role of these mercenaries was first uncovered last year, prompted by an investigation which found that more than 300 ex-military personnel had been hired to fight – an revelation that resulted in an rare mea culpa from the Colombian government.

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

Reported Actions

In the Sudanese theater, the mercenaries have been accused of teaching underage fighters, instructed militiamen in drone operation, and engaged in frontline combat. A mercenary was quoted as saying that working with child soldiers was "terrible and insane" but commented that "regrettably, war operates that way".

Named Entities

Among those targeted was a dual national, a individual with dual citizenship and retired Colombian military officer based in the Dubai. The Treasury alleged he played a key part in enlisting and transporting former Colombian soldiers to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was also sanctioned.

Also on the penalty list was Mateo Andrés Duque Botero, a individual with Colombian and Spanish citizenship who the Treasury stated ran a firm accused of processing money and salaries for the network. "In 2024 and 2025, US-based firms connected to Duque carried out numerous wire transfers, amounting to millions," the official announcement noted.

Citizen of Colombia Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the fourth individual to be targeted, with the firm she operated alleged to have financial transactions associated with Duque and his businesses.

"The US once more urges external actors to cease providing financial and military support to the belligerents," the Treasury announced.

Expert Analysis

A senior analyst, from a conflict think tank, labeled the measures as a "highly important" milestone, noting that "identifying the recruiters is the proper strategy".

Furthermore, Bogotá has enacted a piece of legislation approving the anti-mercenary convention, seeking to reduce decades of Colombian involvement in foreign conflicts and transform its security approach.

Another expert, a scholar on the subject, called for greater wariness, noting that "restrictions are needed but not enough for addressing the growing mercenary trade".

"This is a shadow economy and based out of Dubai, which is largely insulated from sanctions," he commented. The United Arab Emirates has been repeatedly implicated of supplying weapons to the paramilitary group, allegations it disputes. "Expect more Colombian mercenaries," McFate warned.