🔗 Share this article

The Washington has imposed sanctions on a operation of four people and four firms accused of hiring former Colombian soldiers to combat alongside and instruct a Sudanese paramilitary group that Washington accuses of committing genocide.

Operation Structure

Announcing the restrictions on Tuesday, the American treasury stated the scheme was primarily made up of individuals and businesses from Colombia.

Scores of former Colombian military personnel have been recruited to go to the Sudanese warzone to operate with the RSF paramilitary group, a force linked to horrific war crimes such as massacres based on ethnicity and large-scale abductions.

Emergence of Involvement

The involvement of Colombian fighters first came to light last year, prompted by an inquiry which revealed that more than 300 former soldiers had been recruited to engage in combat – an discovery that led to an unusual statement of regret from officials in Bogotá.

Colombian ex-soldiers have historically been seen as among the world’s most sought-after mercenaries due to their extensive battlefield experience resulting from a long-running domestic war, familiarity with advanced weaponry, and superior tactical education.

Role in the Conflict

In Sudan, the contractors have been accused of teaching underage fighters, provided drone warfare training, and participated in direct battles. An individual involved previously stated that working with child soldiers was "terrible and insane" but added that "unfortunately that’s how war is".

Named Entities

Among those sanctioned was a retired Colombian officer, a dual Colombian-Italian national and former army officer located in the Dubai. The Treasury said he had a pivotal function in hiring and sending former Colombian soldiers to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Oliveros, was also sanctioned.

Also on the restricted list was Mateo Andrés Duque Botero, a dual national who officials alleged managed a business linked to managing finances and payments for the recruitment operation. "In 2024 and 2025, US-based firms associated with Duque conducted several money transfers, worth millions," the official announcement noted.

Colombian national Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the final person to be targeted, with the firm she operated said to have conducted wire transfers connected to Duque and his operations.

"The United States again calls on outside forces to halt the flow of financial and military support to the combatants," the Treasury stated.

Analyst Commentary

A senior analyst, senior analyst at the International Crisis Group, described the actions as a "very significant" milestone, noting that "targeting the enablers is the right way to go".

It was also noted that, the Colombian government ratified a statute approving the anti-mercenary convention, designed to limit decades of Colombian involvement in international fights and reshape domestic defense strategy.

Sean McFate, an expert on mercenaries, urged more caution, stating that "penalties are required yet incomplete for addressing widespread use of contractors".

"This is a shadow economy and centered in the UAE, which is relatively sanction-proof," he commented. The United Arab Emirates has been repeatedly implicated of arming the RSF, claims it rejects. "Expect more Colombian mercenaries," the expert cautioned.