🔗 Share this article

The Washington has enforced penalties on a operation of several persons and entities charged of enlisting Colombian mercenaries to support and educate a militia force in Sudan which the US alleges of acts of genocide.

Group Makeup

Announcing the sanctions on Tuesday, the American treasury stated the network was largely composed of Colombian nationals and companies.

Scores of ex-soldiers from Colombia have allegedly journeyed to the Sudanese warzone to combat beside the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a group linked to horrific war crimes such as targeted ethnic killings and large-scale abductions.

Emergence of Involvement

The role of these mercenaries initially emerged the previous year, prompted by an investigation which disclosed that hundreds of ex-military personnel had been contracted to participate in the war – an revelation that led to an unprecedented apology from officials in Bogotá.

These South American veterans have long been considered as some of the most in-demand contractors globally due to their extensive battlefield experience gleaned from years of internal conflict, training on Western military gear, and high-level combat training.

Activities in Sudan

In the conflict, the mercenaries have allegedly instructed minors, taught fighters to pilot drones, and participated in direct battles. A mercenary was quoted as saying that instructing minors was "awful and crazy" but added that "unfortunately that’s how war is".

Targeted Persons

Among those penalized was a retired Colombian officer, a dual Colombian-Italian national and ex-soldier based in the Dubai. The US authorities alleged he played a central role in enlisting and transporting mercenaries to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was penalized as well.

Also on the restricted list was Mateo Duque Botero, a dual national who authorities say ran a firm implicated in handling funds and payroll for the recruitment operation. "In 2024 and 2025, American entities connected to Duque carried out numerous wire transfers, worth millions," the Treasury statement said.

Citizen of Colombia Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the fourth individual to be targeted, with the firm she operated alleged to have money transfers linked to Duque and his operations.

"The United States again calls on external actors to halt the flow of financial and military support to the belligerents," the agency stated.

Analyst Commentary

Elizabeth Dickinson, from a conflict think tank, described the measures as a "highly important" development, stating that "identifying the recruiters is the right way to go".

She added that, the Colombian government ratified a statute endorsing the global treaty against mercenarism, designed to limit decades of Colombian involvement in overseas wars and reshape its security approach.

A mercenary specialist, a scholar on the subject, advised additional measures, saying that "restrictions are needed but not enough for combating rampant mercenarism".

"It’s an illicit economy and centered in Dubai, which is largely insulated from sanctions," he said. The United Arab Emirates has been frequently alleged of supplying weapons to the paramilitary group, claims it rejects. "This trend will probably continue," the expert cautioned.