🔗 Share this article

The United States has levied restrictions on a operation of four individuals and four companies charged of enlisting former Colombian soldiers to fight for and train a Sudanese paramilitary group that Washington accuses of acts of genocide.

Group Makeup

Announcing the sanctions on Tuesday, the American treasury stated the scheme was mostly comprised of individuals and businesses from Colombia.

Scores of ex-soldiers from Colombia have allegedly journeyed to Sudan to operate with the RSF paramilitary group, a force implicated in severe violations encompassing massacres based on ethnicity and widespread kidnappings.

Discovery of Participation

The involvement of Colombian fighters initially emerged in 2024, prompted by an investigation which disclosed that more than 300 former soldiers had been contracted to participate in the war – an revelation that prompted an unusual statement of regret from officials in Bogotá.

These South American veterans have historically been seen as some of the most in-demand contractors globally due to their considerable warzone knowledge resulting from years of internal conflict, familiarity with advanced weaponry, and superior tactical education.

Activities in Sudan

In the Sudanese theater, the contractors have allegedly instructed underage fighters, instructed militiamen in drone operation, and engaged in frontline combat. A mercenary previously stated that working with child soldiers was "terrible and insane" but noted that "regrettably, war operates that way".

Sanctioned Individuals

Among those sanctioned was a dual national, a citizen of both Colombia and Italy and ex-soldier based in the Dubai. The US authorities said he had a key part in enlisting and transporting ex-military personnel to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Oliveros, was similarly targeted.

Also on the restricted list was Mateo Duque Botero, a dual Colombian-Spanish citizen who the Treasury stated oversaw a company linked to processing money and salaries for the scheme. "In 2024 and 2025, US-based firms linked to Duque conducted multiple financial transactions, amounting to millions," the official announcement said.

Individual Mónica Muñoz was the other individual to be targeted, with the company she managed said to have conducted money transfers connected to Duque and his operations.

"Washington reiterates its demand for foreign parties to halt the flow of monetary and weaponry aid to the combatants," the department announced.

Expert Analysis

A senior analyst, with the International Crisis Group, described the sanctions as a "highly important" development, saying that "calling out those who are doing the contracting is the right way to go".

It was also noted that, the Colombian government ratified a law endorsing the global treaty against mercenarism, seeking to reduce its citizens' long history in overseas wars and reshape its security approach.

Sean McFate, a authority on private military contractors, advised additional measures, stating that "sanctions are necessary but insufficient for addressing widespread use of contractors".

"It operates in the black market and operating from the UAE, which is relatively sanction-proof," he commented. The Emirati government has been frequently alleged of arming the RSF, an accusation it has denied. "Expect more Colombian mercenaries," McFate warned.