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The United States has imposed sanctions on a network of several persons and entities accused of hiring Colombian mercenaries to fight for and train a armed faction in Sudan which the US alleges of genocidal acts.

Group Makeup

Revealing the measures on Tuesday, the Treasury stated the operation was mostly comprised of Colombian nationals and companies.

Scores of retired Colombian troops have reportedly travelled to the Sudanese warzone to combat beside the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a group implicated in horrific war crimes encompassing ethnically targeted slaughter and mass abductions.

Revelation of Role

The involvement of Colombian fighters first came to light last year, prompted by an investigation which revealed that more than 300 former soldiers had been recruited to fight – an revelation that led to an unusual statement of regret from officials in Bogotá.

Former Colombian military have historically been seen as highly prized fighters in conflict zones due to their considerable warzone knowledge acquired during decades of civil war, familiarity with Western military gear, and superior tactical education.

Reported Actions

In the conflict, the Colombians have been accused of teaching minors, instructed militiamen in drone operation, and participated in direct battles. One source previously stated that training children was "terrible and insane" but commented that "unfortunately that’s how war is".

Sanctioned Individuals

Among those sanctioned was a dual national, a citizen of both Colombia and Italy and former army officer operating from the Dubai. The US authorities accused him a pivotal function in recruiting and deploying ex-military personnel to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Oliveros, was similarly targeted.

Also on the penalty list was Mateo Andrés Duque Botero, a dual national who officials alleged oversaw a company implicated in managing finances and payments for the network. "In 2024 and 2025, American entities connected to Duque carried out several money transfers, totalling millions of US dollars," the Treasury statement stated.

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

"The US once more urges external actors to stop giving monetary and weaponry aid to the combatants," the agency said in a statement.

Analyst Commentary

Elizabeth Dickinson, from a conflict think tank, called the actions as a "highly important" step, noting that "identifying the recruiters is the proper strategy".

She added that, Bogotá ratified a law ratifying the global treaty against mercenarism, aiming to curb years of participation by its nationals in overseas wars and change national security policy.

Another expert, a scholar on the subject, urged more caution, stating that "penalties are required yet incomplete for dealing with the growing mercenary trade".

"This is a shadow economy and centered in the Emirates, which is difficult to penalize," he stated. The United Arab Emirates has been widely accused of arming the RSF, claims it rejects. "This trend will probably continue," he advised.