🔗 Share this article United States Enforces Restrictions on Operation Alleged of Recruiting Colombian Fighters to Sudan. The United States has enforced penalties on a network of four people and four firms alleged of recruiting former Colombian soldiers to combat alongside and instruct a armed faction in Sudan the United States claims of committing genocide. Group Makeup Announcing the restrictions on this week, the American treasury stated the scheme was largely composed of Colombian nationals and companies. Scores of retired Colombian troops have been recruited to go to the Sudanese warzone to operate with the Sudanese RSF militia, a faction accused of terrible atrocities such as targeted ethnic killings and mass abductions. Emergence of Involvement The involvement of Colombian fighters initially emerged in 2024, after an investigation which found that more than 300 former soldiers had been hired to engage in combat – an discovery that led to an rare mea culpa from Colombia’s foreign ministry. Former Colombian military have long been considered as among the world’s most sought-after mercenaries due to their extensive battlefield experience gleaned from decades of civil war, knowledge of advanced weaponry, and high-level combat training. Reported Actions In the conflict, the mercenaries have been accused of teaching child soldiers, provided drone warfare training, and fought directly on the frontlines. An individual involved remarked that working with child soldiers was "horrific and irrational" but added that "sadly, that is the nature of conflict". Sanctioned Individuals Among those targeted was a dual national, a citizen of both Colombia and Italy and ex-soldier operating from the United Arab Emirates. The Treasury alleged he played a central role in enlisting and transporting ex-military personnel to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was similarly targeted. Also on the sanctions list was Duque Botero, a dual national who authorities say oversaw a company accused of processing money and salaries for the scheme. "In 2024 and 2025, American entities connected to Duque engaged in numerous wire transfers, worth millions," the official announcement stated. Individual Mónica Muñoz was the final person to be targeted, with the entity she oversaw said to have conducted wire transfers linked to Duque and his operations. "The US once more urges outside forces to cease providing financial and military support to the warring parties," the agency said in a statement. Expert Analysis An expert, senior analyst at the International Crisis Group, described the actions as a "major" development, stating that "identifying the recruiters is the proper strategy". It was also noted that, the Colombian government has enacted a law approving the global treaty against mercenarism, designed to limit years of participation by its nationals in overseas wars and reshape national security policy. Sean McFate, a scholar on the subject, called for greater wariness, saying that "penalties are required yet incomplete for addressing rampant mercenarism". "It operates in the black market and based out of the UAE, which is relatively sanction-proof," he commented. The United Arab Emirates has been frequently alleged of providing arms to the militia, allegations it disputes. "Expect more Colombian mercenaries," McFate warned.