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The Washington has imposed sanctions on a network of several persons and entities charged of hiring former Colombian soldiers to combat alongside and instruct a armed faction in Sudan that Washington accuses of acts of genocide.

Network Composition

Disclosing the restrictions on Tuesday, the American treasury stated the scheme was primarily made up of Colombian citizens and firms.

Hundreds of ex-soldiers from Colombia have allegedly journeyed to the conflict in Sudan to operate with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a force implicated in horrific war crimes such as targeted ethnic killings and widespread kidnappings.

Revelation of Role

The involvement of Colombian fighters was first uncovered in 2024, following an investigation which found that over three hundred retired troops had been hired to engage in combat – an discovery that resulted in an rare mea culpa from the Colombian government.

Colombian ex-soldiers have long been considered as some of the most in-demand contractors globally due to their considerable warzone knowledge resulting from years of internal conflict, knowledge of Western military gear, and elite military instruction.

Reported Actions

In Sudan, the contractors have been accused of teaching underage fighters, provided drone warfare training, and engaged in frontline combat. A mercenary remarked that working with child soldiers was "terrible and insane" but noted that "regrettably, war operates that way".

Named Entities

Among those sanctioned was a dual national, a dual Colombian-Italian national and former army officer located in the United Arab Emirates. The government accused him a key part in hiring and sending former Colombian soldiers to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was penalized as well.

Also on the sanctions list was Duque Botero, a individual with Colombian and Spanish citizenship who the Treasury stated ran a firm implicated in handling funds and payroll for the network. "Over the past two years, US-based firms linked to Duque conducted multiple financial transactions, amounting to millions," the Treasury statement noted.

Citizen of Colombia Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the fourth individual to be penalized, with the company she managed alleged to have wire transfers connected to Duque and his businesses.

"The United States again calls on outside forces to stop giving funding and arms to the warring parties," the department stated.

Expert Analysis

A senior analyst, from a conflict think tank, described the measures as a "major" development, saying that "identifying the recruiters is the right way to go".

She added that, Colombia has enacted a piece of legislation endorsing the anti-mercenary convention, designed to limit decades of Colombian involvement in overseas wars and reshape domestic defense strategy.

Another expert, a scholar on the subject, urged more caution, noting that "restrictions are needed but not enough for dealing with the growing mercenary trade".

"It’s an illicit economy and centered in Dubai, which is largely insulated from sanctions," he stated. The Emirati government has been frequently alleged of arming the RSF, allegations it disputes. "More contractors from Colombia are likely," the expert cautioned.