🔗 Share this article

The Washington has levied restrictions on a group of four people and four firms accused of recruiting Colombian mercenaries to combat alongside and instruct a armed faction in Sudan which the US alleges of genocidal acts.

Group Makeup

Disclosing the restrictions on this week, the American treasury stated the operation was mostly comprised of individuals and businesses from Colombia.

Scores of former Colombian military personnel have been recruited to go to the Sudanese warzone to combat beside the RSF paramilitary group, a force implicated in horrific war crimes including targeted ethnic killings and large-scale abductions.

Revelation of Role

The role of these mercenaries first came to light the previous year, after an inquiry which disclosed that more than 300 ex-military personnel had been recruited to engage in combat – an event that resulted in an unusual statement of regret from Colombia’s foreign ministry.

These South American veterans have long been considered as highly prized fighters in conflict zones due to their vast combat experience gleaned from a long-running domestic war, training on Nato equipment, and high-level combat training.

Activities in Sudan

In the Sudanese theater, the contractors have allegedly instructed minors, taught fighters to pilot drones, and engaged in frontline combat. A mercenary previously stated that instructing minors was "awful and crazy" but added that "unfortunately that’s how war is".

Targeted Persons

Among those targeted was a retired Colombian officer, a dual Colombian-Italian national and former army officer operating from the United Arab Emirates. The government alleged he played a pivotal function in enlisting and transporting ex-military personnel to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Oliveros, was similarly targeted.

Also on the penalty list was Mateo Duque Botero, a dual Colombian-Spanish citizen who officials alleged oversaw a company linked to processing money and salaries for the scheme. "In 2024 and 2025, US-based firms linked to Duque conducted numerous wire transfers, worth millions," the Treasury statement said.

Colombian national Mónica Muñoz was the fourth individual to be targeted, with the company she managed alleged to have financial transactions associated with Duque and his businesses.

"The US once more urges external actors to stop giving monetary and weaponry aid to the combatants," the Treasury stated.

Reaction

An expert, with the International Crisis Group, labeled the actions as a "highly important" milestone, stating that "calling out those who are doing the contracting is the proper strategy".

It was also noted that, Bogotá ratified a statute ratifying the anti-mercenary convention, designed to limit its citizens' long history in foreign conflicts and transform domestic defense strategy.

Sean McFate, an expert on mercenaries, urged more caution, stating that "sanctions are necessary but insufficient for combating rampant mercenarism".

"It operates in the black market and operating from Dubai, which is relatively sanction-proof," he said. The Emirati government has been frequently alleged of supplying weapons to the paramilitary group, claims it rejects. "This trend will probably continue," the expert cautioned.