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The US government has levied restrictions on a operation of several persons and entities charged of hiring former Colombian soldiers to support and educate a armed faction in Sudan the United States claims of acts of genocide.

Network Composition

Revealing the measures on Tuesday, the American treasury stated the network was largely composed of Colombian citizens and firms.

Scores of ex-soldiers from Colombia have allegedly journeyed to the Sudanese warzone to combat beside the Sudanese RSF militia, a force linked to severe violations including ethnically targeted slaughter and mass abductions.

Emergence of Involvement

The involvement of Colombian fighters was first uncovered in 2024, prompted by an inquiry which revealed that over three hundred ex-military personnel had been hired to participate in the war – an event that led to an unusual statement of regret from Colombia’s foreign ministry.

These South American veterans have historically been seen as among the world’s most sought-after mercenaries due to their vast combat experience acquired during decades of civil war, knowledge of Western military gear, and superior tactical education.

Role in the Conflict

In Sudan, the Colombians 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 "horrific and irrational" but noted that "regrettably, war operates that way".

Named Entities

Among those penalized was a retired Colombian officer, a dual Colombian-Italian national and former army officer operating from the UAE. The Treasury alleged he played a central role in recruiting and deploying ex-military personnel to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was penalized as well.

Also on the sanctions list was Mateo Duque Botero, a dual Colombian-Spanish citizen who authorities say ran a firm implicated in managing finances and payments for the scheme. "Over the past two years, companies in the United States associated with Duque engaged in several money transfers, worth millions," the government release stated.

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

"The United States again calls on foreign parties to cease providing funding and arms to the combatants," the department announced.

Analyst Commentary

Elizabeth Dickinson, from a conflict think tank, called the measures as a "very significant" step, saying that "targeting the enablers is the proper strategy".

She added that, the Colombian government has enacted a piece of legislation endorsing the anti-mercenary convention, aiming to curb years of participation by its nationals in overseas wars and transform its security approach.

Another expert, a authority on private military contractors, called for greater wariness, noting that "restrictions are needed but not enough for combating rampant mercenarism".

"This is a shadow economy and operating from Dubai, which is relatively sanction-proof," he stated. The Emirati government has been widely accused of arming the RSF, allegations it disputes. "Expect more Colombian mercenaries," he advised.