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The US government has enforced penalties on a group of several persons and entities alleged of hiring former Colombian soldiers to combat alongside and instruct a armed faction in Sudan that Washington accuses of acts of genocide.

Network Composition

Revealing the sanctions on this week, the US Treasury Department stated the scheme was primarily made up of Colombian nationals and companies.

Scores of retired Colombian troops have allegedly journeyed to the conflict in Sudan to operate with the RSF paramilitary group, a force accused of horrific war crimes such as ethnically targeted slaughter and mass abductions.

Revelation of Role

The involvement of Colombian fighters was first uncovered last year, after an report which found that over three hundred former soldiers had been contracted to fight – an revelation that led to an rare mea culpa from Colombia’s foreign ministry.

Colombian ex-soldiers have historically been seen as highly prized fighters in conflict zones due to their considerable warzone knowledge acquired during years of internal conflict, knowledge of advanced weaponry, and superior tactical education.

Role in the Conflict

In the conflict, the mercenaries have reportedly trained underage fighters, instructed militiamen in drone operation, and participated in direct battles. An individual involved was quoted as saying that working with child soldiers was "terrible and insane" but commented that "unfortunately that’s how war is".

Targeted Persons

Among those targeted was a retired Colombian officer, a dual Colombian-Italian national and former army officer operating from the United Arab Emirates. The Treasury said he had a key part in enlisting and transporting ex-military personnel to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Oliveros, was also sanctioned.

Also on the restricted list was Mateo Andrés Duque Botero, a dual Colombian-Spanish citizen who authorities say managed a business linked to processing money and salaries for the scheme. "In 2024 and 2025, American entities linked to Duque carried out multiple financial transactions, totalling millions of US dollars," the Treasury statement said.

Colombian national Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the other individual to be penalized, with the firm she operated alleged to have wire transfers associated with Duque and his companies.

"Washington reiterates its demand for outside forces to cease providing monetary and weaponry aid to the warring parties," the agency announced.

Reaction

Elizabeth Dickinson, with the International Crisis Group, labeled the actions as a "highly important" development, saying that "identifying the recruiters is the proper strategy".

Furthermore, Bogotá has enacted a law endorsing the global treaty against mercenarism, designed to limit years of participation by its nationals in international fights and change national security policy.

Sean McFate, an expert on mercenaries, urged more caution, noting that "restrictions are needed but not enough for dealing with the growing mercenary trade".

"This is a shadow economy and based out of Dubai, which is largely insulated from sanctions," he said. The Emirati government has been repeatedly implicated of arming the RSF, allegations it disputes. "This trend will probably continue," he advised.