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The Washington has imposed sanctions on a operation of four individuals and four companies alleged of hiring Colombian mercenaries to support and educate a militia force in Sudan the United States claims of committing genocide.

Network Composition

Disclosing the measures on Tuesday, the US Treasury Department stated the scheme was mostly comprised of Colombian nationals and companies.

Scores of retired Colombian troops have allegedly journeyed to the Sudanese warzone to combat beside the RSF paramilitary group, a force accused of severe violations including ethnically targeted slaughter and large-scale abductions.

Discovery of Participation

The participation of ex-soldiers was first uncovered last year, following an report which disclosed that more than 300 retired troops had been hired to participate in the war – an revelation that prompted an unusual statement of regret from Colombia’s foreign ministry.

Colombian ex-soldiers have long been considered as highly prized fighters in conflict zones due to their vast combat experience gleaned from years of internal conflict, familiarity with Western military gear, and elite military instruction.

Activities in Sudan

In Sudan, the mercenaries have been accused of teaching child soldiers, instructed militiamen in drone operation, and participated in direct battles. A mercenary remarked that working with child soldiers was "awful and crazy" but added that "regrettably, war operates that way".

Targeted Persons

Among those penalized was a dual national, a individual with dual citizenship and retired Colombian military officer located in the United Arab Emirates. The Treasury alleged he played a pivotal function in hiring and sending mercenaries to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was penalized as well.

Also on the sanctions list was Mateo Andrés Duque Botero, a individual with Colombian and Spanish citizenship who authorities say managed a business implicated in managing finances and payments for the recruitment operation. "In 2024 and 2025, US-based firms connected to Duque engaged in several money transfers, worth millions," the Treasury statement stated.

Individual Mónica Muñoz was the fourth individual to be penalized, with the company she managed accused of money transfers connected to Duque and his operations.

"The US once more urges outside forces to halt the flow of financial and military support to the belligerents," the department announced.

Reaction

A senior analyst, senior analyst at the International Crisis Group, labeled the sanctions as a "very significant" milestone, noting that "identifying the recruiters is the correct approach".

Furthermore, Bogotá ratified a statute ratifying the International Convention Against the Recruitment and Use of Mercenaries, aiming to curb years of participation by its nationals in overseas wars and transform domestic defense strategy.

Another expert, an expert on mercenaries, called for greater wariness, saying that "sanctions are necessary but insufficient for combating widespread use of contractors".

"This is a shadow economy and based out of the Emirates, which is relatively sanction-proof," he stated. The United Arab Emirates has been widely accused of supplying weapons to the paramilitary group, allegations it disputes. "This trend will probably continue," the expert cautioned.