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The US government has levied restrictions on a network of four people and four firms alleged of enlisting former Colombian soldiers to fight for and train a armed faction in Sudan that Washington accuses of committing genocide.

Network Composition

Announcing the restrictions on this week, the US Treasury Department stated the scheme was mostly comprised of Colombian citizens and firms.

Scores of ex-soldiers from Colombia have reportedly travelled to the Sudanese warzone to fight alongside the RSF paramilitary group, a faction accused of horrific war crimes such as targeted ethnic killings and large-scale abductions.

Emergence of Involvement

The role of these mercenaries initially emerged in 2024, following an investigation which found that more than 300 ex-military personnel had been hired to fight – an revelation that led to an unusual statement of regret from officials in Bogotá.

Colombian ex-soldiers have historically been seen as some of the most in-demand contractors globally due to their vast combat experience resulting from years of internal conflict, familiarity with Western military gear, and elite military instruction.

Role in the Conflict

In the Sudanese theater, the mercenaries have allegedly instructed underage fighters, instructed militiamen in drone operation, and participated in direct battles. An individual involved remarked that instructing minors was "awful and crazy" but noted that "regrettably, war operates that way".

Named Entities

Among those sanctioned was a dual national, a dual Colombian-Italian national and former army officer based in the UAE. The Treasury accused him a central role in recruiting and deploying mercenaries to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Oliveros, was similarly targeted.

Also on the penalty list was Duque Botero, a dual national who authorities say managed a business implicated in managing finances and payments for the network. "Over the past two years, American entities linked to Duque engaged in numerous wire transfers, amounting to millions," the Treasury statement stated.

Colombian national Mónica Muñoz was the final person to be sanctioned, with the company she managed alleged to have money transfers linked to Duque and his operations.

"The United States again calls on external actors to halt the flow of funding and arms to the belligerents," the Treasury said in a statement.

Reaction

An expert, with the International Crisis Group, called the sanctions as a "highly important" development, noting that "targeting the enablers is the correct approach".

Furthermore, Colombia ratified a piece of legislation approving the International Convention Against the Recruitment and Use of Mercenaries, seeking to reduce its citizens' long history in international fights and transform domestic defense strategy.

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

"It’s an illicit economy and operating from the UAE, which is largely insulated from sanctions," he said. The Emirati government has been repeatedly implicated of arming the RSF, allegations it disputes. "Expect more Colombian mercenaries," McFate warned.