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The US government has enforced penalties on a operation of several persons and entities charged of enlisting former Colombian soldiers to support and educate a armed faction in Sudan which the US alleges of genocidal acts.

Operation Structure

Disclosing the measures on this week, the American treasury stated the network was mostly comprised of Colombian citizens and firms.

Scores of retired Colombian troops have reportedly travelled to the conflict in Sudan to fight alongside the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a faction accused of severe violations encompassing ethnically targeted slaughter and large-scale abductions.

Discovery of Participation

The involvement of Colombian fighters first came to light in 2024, after an inquiry which found that hundreds of former soldiers had been hired to participate in the war – an event that prompted an rare mea culpa from the Colombian government.

These South American veterans have historically been seen as among the world’s most sought-after mercenaries due to their extensive battlefield experience gleaned from a long-running domestic war, familiarity with advanced weaponry, and elite military instruction.

Reported Actions

In Sudan, the Colombians have been accused of teaching child soldiers, taught fighters to pilot drones, and fought directly on the frontlines. An individual involved was quoted as saying that training children was "terrible and insane" 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 retired Colombian military officer located in the United Arab Emirates. The US authorities said he had a pivotal function in hiring and sending mercenaries to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Oliveros, was penalized as well.

Also on the sanctions list was Duque Botero, a dual national who officials alleged ran a firm implicated in managing finances and payments for the network. "In 2024 and 2025, American entities linked to Duque engaged in numerous wire transfers, totalling millions of US dollars," the government release stated.

Individual Mónica Muñoz was the final person to be penalized, with the entity she oversaw accused of financial transactions linked to Duque and his businesses.

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

Analyst Commentary

An expert, from a conflict think tank, described the actions as a "highly important" milestone, noting that "identifying the recruiters is the right way to go".

She added that, the Colombian government has enacted a piece of legislation approving the International Convention Against the Recruitment and Use of Mercenaries, seeking to reduce its citizens' long history in foreign conflicts and transform national security policy.

Sean McFate, a scholar on the subject, called for greater wariness, saying that "sanctions are necessary but insufficient for dealing with widespread use of contractors".

"This is a shadow economy and centered in Dubai, which is relatively sanction-proof," he said. The UAE has been repeatedly implicated of arming the RSF, claims it rejects. "This trend will probably continue," he advised.