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The United States has levied restrictions on a operation of four individuals and four companies alleged of recruiting Colombian mercenaries to fight for and train a militia force in Sudan which the US alleges of genocidal acts.

Operation Structure

Disclosing the restrictions on Tuesday, the US Treasury Department stated the operation was largely composed of individuals and businesses from Colombia.

Hundreds of former Colombian military personnel have reportedly travelled to the Sudanese warzone to combat beside the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a group implicated in terrible atrocities such as targeted ethnic killings and widespread kidnappings.

Emergence of Involvement

The participation of ex-soldiers was first uncovered in 2024, after an inquiry which found that hundreds of retired troops had been recruited to participate in the war – an revelation that led to an unprecedented apology from officials in Bogotá.

Colombian ex-soldiers have long been considered as some of the most in-demand contractors globally due to their vast combat experience acquired during a long-running domestic war, familiarity with advanced weaponry, and high-level combat training.

Activities in Sudan

In the Sudanese theater, the Colombians have allegedly instructed child soldiers, provided drone warfare training, and fought directly on the frontlines. One source previously stated that instructing minors was "awful and crazy" but commented that "unfortunately that’s how war is".

Targeted Persons

Among those penalized was a dual national, a citizen of both Colombia and Italy and ex-soldier based in the UAE. The US authorities accused him a pivotal function in enlisting and transporting mercenaries to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Oliveros, was penalized as well.

Also on the sanctions list was Mateo Andrés Duque Botero, a dual national who officials alleged oversaw a company implicated in handling funds and payroll for the recruitment operation. "Over the past two years, companies in the United States linked to Duque engaged in multiple financial transactions, worth millions," the Treasury statement noted.

Individual Mónica Muñoz was the fourth individual to be penalized, with the firm she operated accused of financial transactions linked to Duque and his operations.

"Washington reiterates its demand for external actors to cease providing monetary and weaponry aid to the belligerents," the department announced.

Expert Analysis

Elizabeth Dickinson, from a conflict think tank, labeled the measures as a "highly important" development, noting that "identifying the recruiters is the correct approach".

She added that, Bogotá ratified a statute ratifying the anti-mercenary convention, aiming to curb its citizens' long history in overseas wars and transform its security approach.

Sean McFate, a scholar on the subject, advised additional measures, saying that "penalties are required yet incomplete for addressing the growing mercenary trade".

"It operates in the black market and based out of the Emirates, which is difficult to penalize," he stated. The UAE has been frequently alleged of supplying weapons to the paramilitary group, an accusation it has denied. "This trend will probably continue," he advised.