🔗 Share this article Washington Levies Penalties on Group Accused of Recruiting Colombian Fighters to the Sudanese Conflict. The United States has imposed sanctions on a operation of several persons and entities accused of hiring Colombian mercenaries to fight for and train a militia force in Sudan which the US alleges of genocidal acts. Group Makeup Announcing the measures on Tuesday, the American treasury stated the operation was largely composed of Colombian citizens and firms. Scores of retired Colombian troops have reportedly travelled to the conflict in Sudan to combat beside the RSF paramilitary group, a group accused of horrific war crimes such as targeted ethnic killings and mass abductions. Discovery of Participation The involvement of Colombian fighters was first uncovered the previous year, after an inquiry which found that hundreds of ex-military personnel had been contracted to engage in combat – an revelation that led to an unprecedented apology from Colombia’s foreign ministry. Former Colombian military have widely regarded as among the world’s most sought-after mercenaries due to their extensive battlefield experience acquired during a long-running domestic war, knowledge of Western military gear, and elite military instruction. Role in the Conflict In the Sudanese theater, the Colombians have been accused of teaching child soldiers, taught fighters to pilot drones, and engaged in frontline combat. One source was quoted as saying that working with child soldiers was "horrific and irrational" but noted that "regrettably, war operates that way". Sanctioned Individuals Among those sanctioned was a dual national, a individual with dual citizenship and retired Colombian military officer based in the United Arab Emirates. The government alleged he played a central role in hiring and sending ex-military personnel to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Oliveros, was also sanctioned. Also on the penalty list was Mateo Duque Botero, a dual Colombian-Spanish citizen who authorities say oversaw a company accused of processing money and salaries for the recruitment operation. "In 2024 and 2025, companies in the United States associated with Duque conducted several money transfers, amounting to millions," the Treasury statement noted. Citizen of Colombia Mónica Muñoz was the final person to be targeted, with the entity she oversaw accused of money transfers linked to Duque and his companies. "The United States again calls on external actors to halt the flow of financial and military support to the combatants," the agency announced. Expert Analysis An expert, with the International Crisis Group, labeled the sanctions as a "highly important" milestone, saying that "calling out those who are doing the contracting is the proper strategy". Furthermore, the Colombian government has enacted a piece of legislation approving the global treaty against mercenarism, designed to limit its citizens' long history in foreign conflicts and transform its security approach. A mercenary specialist, a authority on private military contractors, urged more caution, stating that "sanctions are necessary but insufficient for dealing with the growing mercenary trade". "It’s an illicit economy and operating from Dubai, which is difficult to penalize," he said. The United Arab Emirates has been repeatedly implicated of providing arms to the militia, an accusation it has denied. "This trend will probably continue," he advised.