🔗 Share this article United States Enforces Restrictions on Network Accused of Funneling Colombian Fighters to Sudan. The US government has enforced penalties on a group of four individuals and four companies accused of enlisting Colombian mercenaries to fight for and train a militia force in Sudan which the US alleges of acts of genocide. Operation Structure Announcing the sanctions on this week, the American treasury stated the operation was primarily made up of Colombian nationals and companies. Hundreds of retired Colombian troops have been recruited to go to the Sudanese warzone to operate with the RSF paramilitary group, a faction accused of terrible atrocities such as ethnically targeted slaughter and widespread kidnappings. Discovery of Participation The role of these mercenaries first came to light last year, following an investigation which found that over three hundred former soldiers had been hired to fight – an discovery that led to an unusual statement of regret from Colombia’s foreign ministry. Former Colombian military have long been considered as highly prized fighters in conflict zones due to their considerable warzone knowledge resulting from a long-running domestic war, knowledge of Western military gear, and superior tactical education. Role in the Conflict In the conflict, the contractors have been accused of teaching underage fighters, provided drone warfare training, and engaged in frontline combat. One source was quoted as saying that training children was "terrible and insane" but noted that "regrettably, war operates that way". Named Entities Among those penalized was a dual national, a citizen of both Colombia and Italy and retired Colombian military officer based in the Dubai. The US authorities accused him a central role in hiring and sending former Colombian soldiers to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was similarly targeted. Also on the penalty list was Mateo Duque Botero, a individual with Colombian and Spanish citizenship who the Treasury stated ran a firm accused of processing money and salaries for the recruitment operation. "In 2024 and 2025, companies in the United States linked to Duque engaged in numerous wire transfers, totalling millions of US dollars," the Treasury statement said. Colombian national Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the final person to be sanctioned, with the firm she operated said to have conducted financial transactions linked to Duque and his companies. "The US once more urges outside forces to cease providing monetary and weaponry aid to the combatants," the department announced. Expert Analysis An expert, senior analyst at the International Crisis Group, described the actions as a "highly important" development, stating that "identifying the recruiters is the right way to go". She added that, Bogotá recently passed a statute approving the anti-mercenary convention, aiming to curb its citizens' long history in international fights and reshape domestic defense strategy. A mercenary specialist, a authority on private military contractors, called for greater wariness, stating that "restrictions are needed but not enough for dealing with the growing mercenary trade". "It’s an illicit economy and operating from the Emirates, which is relatively sanction-proof," he said. The UAE has been frequently alleged of supplying weapons to the paramilitary group, an accusation it has denied. "This trend will probably continue," the expert cautioned.