🔗 Share this article

The US government has imposed sanctions on a network of four people and four firms alleged of hiring former Colombian soldiers to combat alongside and instruct a Sudanese paramilitary group which the US alleges of genocidal acts.

Network Composition

Disclosing the sanctions on Tuesday, the American treasury stated the operation was primarily made up of individuals and businesses from Colombia.

Scores of ex-soldiers from Colombia have allegedly journeyed to the Sudanese warzone to operate with the Sudanese RSF militia, a force linked to horrific war crimes including massacres based on ethnicity and large-scale abductions.

Revelation of Role

The participation of ex-soldiers was first uncovered the previous year, following an inquiry which found that more than 300 former soldiers had been hired to engage in combat – an revelation that resulted in an rare mea culpa from the Colombian government.

Colombian ex-soldiers have historically been seen as highly prized fighters in conflict zones due to their vast combat experience acquired during years of internal conflict, knowledge of advanced weaponry, and elite military instruction.

Activities in Sudan

In the Sudanese theater, the Colombians have reportedly trained child soldiers, provided drone warfare training, and participated in direct battles. An individual involved previously stated that training children was "terrible and insane" but commented that "unfortunately that’s how war is".

Sanctioned Individuals

Among those targeted was a retired Colombian officer, a citizen of both Colombia and Italy and retired Colombian military officer located in the Dubai. The Treasury alleged he played a pivotal function in enlisting and transporting ex-military personnel to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Oliveros, was penalized as well.

Also on the restricted list was Mateo Andrés Duque Botero, a dual Colombian-Spanish citizen who authorities say ran a firm linked to managing finances and payments for the network. "In 2024 and 2025, American entities connected to Duque conducted multiple financial transactions, totalling millions of US dollars," the official announcement stated.

Individual Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the final person to be targeted, with the firm she operated accused of financial transactions associated with Duque and his operations.

"The United States again calls on foreign parties to stop giving financial and military support to the combatants," the Treasury announced.

Expert Analysis

An expert, from a conflict think tank, called the sanctions as a "highly important" step, stating that "identifying the recruiters is the proper strategy".

It was also noted that, Colombia has enacted a law ratifying the anti-mercenary convention, seeking to reduce decades of Colombian involvement in international fights and reshape domestic defense strategy.

Another expert, an expert on mercenaries, urged more caution, stating that "restrictions are needed but not enough for dealing with widespread use of contractors".

"It’s an illicit economy and based out of the Emirates, which is largely insulated from sanctions," he commented. The UAE has been repeatedly implicated of supplying weapons to the paramilitary group, allegations it disputes. "More contractors from Colombia are likely," McFate warned.