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The US government has imposed sanctions on a group of four individuals and four companies accused of recruiting Colombian mercenaries to support and educate a militia force in Sudan that Washington accuses of acts of genocide.

Operation Structure

Disclosing the sanctions on this week, the American treasury stated the network was mostly comprised of individuals and businesses from Colombia.

Numerous of former Colombian military personnel have been recruited to go to the Sudanese warzone to combat beside the RSF paramilitary group, a force linked to severe violations such as ethnically targeted slaughter and mass abductions.

Emergence of Involvement

The involvement of Colombian fighters was first uncovered the previous year, prompted by an investigation which disclosed that hundreds of ex-military personnel had been recruited to participate in the war – an revelation that resulted in an rare mea culpa from Colombia’s foreign ministry.

Former Colombian military have widely regarded as some of the most in-demand contractors globally due to their extensive battlefield experience acquired during decades of civil war, training on Western military gear, and elite military instruction.

Role in the Conflict

In Sudan, the contractors have been accused of teaching child soldiers, provided drone warfare training, and participated in direct battles. A mercenary was quoted as saying that instructing minors was "awful and crazy" but commented that "sadly, that is the nature of conflict".

Targeted Persons

Among those penalized was a retired Colombian officer, a citizen of both Colombia and Italy and ex-soldier located in the Dubai. The Treasury said he had a key part in enlisting and transporting mercenaries to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was also sanctioned.

Also on the penalty list was Mateo Andrés Duque Botero, a dual national who authorities say managed a business accused of handling funds and payroll for the recruitment operation. "In 2024 and 2025, companies in the United States linked to Duque carried out several money transfers, amounting to millions," the government release said.

Colombian national Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the fourth individual to be targeted, with the entity she oversaw alleged to have wire transfers linked to Duque and his operations.

"Washington reiterates its demand for foreign parties to halt the flow of financial and military support to the combatants," the department stated.

Expert Analysis

Elizabeth Dickinson, with the International Crisis Group, labeled the actions as a "major" development, stating that "calling out those who are doing the contracting is the right way to go".

It was also noted that, Bogotá ratified a statute ratifying the International Convention Against the Recruitment and Use of Mercenaries, seeking to reduce decades of Colombian involvement in international fights and change domestic defense strategy.

Sean McFate, a scholar on the subject, advised additional measures, stating that "penalties are required yet incomplete for combating widespread use of contractors".

"This is a shadow economy and centered in the Emirates, which is largely insulated from sanctions," he stated. The United Arab Emirates has been frequently alleged of supplying weapons to the paramilitary group, claims it rejects. "More contractors from Colombia are likely," McFate warned.