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The US government has levied restrictions on a group of four individuals and four companies accused of enlisting former Colombian soldiers to fight for and train a militia force in Sudan which the US alleges of genocidal acts.

Group Makeup

Disclosing the restrictions on Tuesday, the American treasury stated the network was mostly comprised of Colombian nationals and companies.

Numerous of retired Colombian troops have allegedly journeyed to the conflict in Sudan to fight alongside the RSF paramilitary group, a force linked to horrific war crimes encompassing targeted ethnic killings and large-scale abductions.

Revelation of Role

The participation of ex-soldiers first came to light the previous year, after an report which disclosed that more than 300 ex-military personnel had been hired to participate in the war – an discovery that resulted in an unprecedented apology from Colombia’s foreign ministry.

Colombian ex-soldiers have historically been seen as highly prized fighters in conflict zones due to their extensive battlefield experience gleaned from years of internal conflict, knowledge of advanced weaponry, and elite military instruction.

Role in the Conflict

In the conflict, the Colombians have reportedly trained underage fighters, taught fighters to pilot drones, and fought directly on the frontlines. An individual involved was quoted as saying that instructing minors was "terrible and insane" but noted that "sadly, that is the nature of conflict".

Targeted Persons

Among those targeted was a retired Colombian officer, a dual Colombian-Italian national and ex-soldier located in the Dubai. The Treasury alleged he played a key part in recruiting and deploying former Colombian soldiers to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was penalized as well.

Also on the sanctions list was Mateo Duque Botero, a individual with Colombian and Spanish citizenship who the Treasury stated managed a business linked to handling funds and payroll for the network. "In 2024 and 2025, US-based firms linked to Duque engaged in several money transfers, worth millions," the official announcement noted.

Individual Mónica Muñoz was the final person to be penalized, with the company she managed said to have conducted money transfers associated with Duque and his businesses.

"Washington reiterates its demand for foreign parties to cease providing financial and military support to the belligerents," the department said in a statement.

Reaction

Elizabeth Dickinson, with the International Crisis Group, described the sanctions as a "major" milestone, saying that "identifying the recruiters is the correct approach".

Furthermore, the Colombian government has enacted a statute approving the International Convention Against the Recruitment and Use of Mercenaries, designed to limit years of participation by its nationals in overseas wars and change its security approach.

A mercenary specialist, an expert on mercenaries, urged more caution, stating that "sanctions are necessary but insufficient for dealing with widespread use of contractors".

"It’s an illicit economy and based out of Dubai, which is relatively sanction-proof," he said. The UAE has been repeatedly implicated of providing arms to the militia, an accusation it has denied. "Expect more Colombian mercenaries," the expert cautioned.