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The US government has enforced penalties on a network of several persons and entities alleged of hiring former Colombian soldiers to support and educate a militia force in Sudan which the US alleges of acts of genocide.

Group Makeup

Announcing the restrictions on Tuesday, the American treasury stated the scheme was largely composed of individuals and businesses from Colombia.

Numerous of ex-soldiers from Colombia have been recruited to go to Sudan to combat beside the RSF paramilitary group, a force accused of horrific war crimes such as massacres based on ethnicity and mass abductions.

Discovery of Participation

The role of these mercenaries was first uncovered in 2024, after an report which found that over three hundred retired troops had been hired to engage in combat – an discovery that led to an unprecedented apology from the Colombian government.

These South American veterans have long been considered as highly prized fighters in conflict zones due to their considerable warzone knowledge resulting from decades of civil war, knowledge of Western military gear, and high-level combat training.

Reported Actions

In Sudan, the mercenaries have reportedly trained minors, taught fighters to pilot drones, and engaged in frontline combat. A mercenary previously stated that working with child soldiers was "awful and crazy" but noted that "unfortunately that’s how war is".

Named Entities

Among those sanctioned was a dual national, a individual with dual citizenship and former army officer based in the Dubai. The US authorities said he had a central role in hiring and sending ex-military personnel to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was penalized as well.

Also on the sanctions list was Duque Botero, a dual Colombian-Spanish citizen who the Treasury stated managed a business linked to handling funds and payroll for the recruitment operation. "Over the past two years, US-based firms connected to Duque conducted numerous wire transfers, totalling millions of US dollars," the Treasury statement said.

Individual Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the other individual to be sanctioned, with the entity she oversaw alleged to have financial transactions linked to Duque and his businesses.

"Washington reiterates its demand for outside forces to cease providing funding and arms to the warring parties," the Treasury announced.

Expert Analysis

Elizabeth Dickinson, with the International Crisis Group, described the measures as a "very significant" milestone, stating that "calling out those who are doing the contracting is the proper strategy".

Furthermore, Colombia ratified a law approving the International Convention Against the Recruitment and Use of Mercenaries, designed to limit years of participation by its nationals in overseas wars and transform its security approach.

Sean McFate, a authority on private military contractors, urged more caution, stating that "penalties are required yet incomplete for addressing widespread use of contractors".

"It’s an illicit economy and operating from Dubai, which is largely insulated from sanctions," he said. The Emirati government has been repeatedly implicated of providing arms to the militia, claims it rejects. "This trend will probably continue," he advised.