🔗 Share this article

The United States has imposed sanctions 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 genocidal acts.

Network Composition

Disclosing the measures on this week, the US Treasury Department stated the network was largely composed of individuals and businesses from Colombia.

Scores of ex-soldiers from Colombia have reportedly travelled to Sudan to operate with the Sudanese RSF militia, a force accused of severe violations including targeted ethnic killings and widespread kidnappings.

Discovery of Participation

The participation of ex-soldiers was first uncovered in 2024, after an report which revealed that more than 300 former soldiers had been hired to fight – an event that resulted in an unprecedented apology from the Colombian government.

Former Colombian military have long been considered as highly prized fighters in conflict zones due to their considerable warzone knowledge resulting from a long-running domestic war, familiarity with Western military gear, and high-level combat training.

Role in the Conflict

In the conflict, the contractors have allegedly instructed underage fighters, provided drone warfare training, and engaged in frontline combat. A mercenary previously stated that instructing minors was "horrific and irrational" but added that "regrettably, war operates that way".

Sanctioned Individuals

Among those penalized was a retired Colombian officer, a citizen of both Colombia and Italy and ex-soldier located in the UAE. The Treasury accused him a key part in hiring and sending former Colombian soldiers to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Oliveros, was penalized as well.

Also on the sanctions list was Mateo Duque Botero, a dual national who the Treasury stated ran a firm accused of handling funds and payroll for the recruitment operation. "Recently, companies in the United States linked to Duque carried out multiple financial transactions, totalling millions of US dollars," the government release noted.

Citizen of Colombia Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the fourth individual to be sanctioned, with the firm she operated accused of financial transactions connected to Duque and his companies.

"The United States again calls on outside forces to cease providing financial and military support to the warring parties," the department stated.

Analyst Commentary

A senior analyst, from a conflict think tank, described the measures as a "major" development, noting that "targeting the enablers is the correct approach".

It was also noted that, the Colombian government recently passed a statute endorsing the International Convention Against the Recruitment and Use of Mercenaries, designed to limit decades of Colombian involvement in overseas wars and reshape national security policy.

Another expert, a scholar on the subject, advised additional measures, stating that "sanctions are necessary but insufficient for combating widespread use of contractors".

"It operates in the black market and based out of Dubai, which is relatively sanction-proof," he commented. The United Arab Emirates has been frequently alleged of providing arms to the militia, an accusation it has denied. "Expect more Colombian mercenaries," he advised.