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The United States has enforced penalties on a group of four individuals and four companies alleged of recruiting Colombian mercenaries to combat alongside and instruct a Sudanese paramilitary group that Washington accuses of acts of genocide.

Network Composition

Announcing the sanctions on Tuesday, the American treasury stated the network was primarily made up of individuals and businesses from Colombia.

Hundreds of retired Colombian troops have reportedly travelled to the conflict in Sudan to fight alongside the Sudanese RSF militia, a group linked to horrific war crimes such as targeted ethnic killings and mass abductions.

Emergence of Involvement

The participation of ex-soldiers was first uncovered last year, after an report which found that over three hundred ex-military personnel had been hired to participate in the war – an revelation that prompted an unusual statement of regret from the Colombian government.

Former Colombian military have historically been seen as highly prized fighters in conflict zones due to their vast combat experience acquired during a long-running domestic war, familiarity with Nato equipment, and elite military instruction.

Role in the Conflict

In the Sudanese theater, the contractors have reportedly trained child soldiers, taught fighters to pilot drones, and fought directly on the frontlines. One source was quoted as saying that working with child soldiers was "awful and crazy" but added that "unfortunately that’s how war is".

Sanctioned Individuals

Among those targeted was a retired Colombian officer, a citizen of both Colombia and Italy and former army officer based in the Dubai. The US authorities said he had a pivotal function in recruiting and deploying former Colombian soldiers to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was penalized as well.

Also on the penalty list was Duque Botero, a dual national who officials alleged oversaw a company implicated in handling funds and payroll for the recruitment operation. "In 2024 and 2025, companies in the United States linked to Duque conducted numerous wire transfers, amounting to millions," the Treasury statement stated.

Colombian national Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the final person to be targeted, with the entity she oversaw alleged to have financial transactions connected to Duque and his companies.

"Washington reiterates its demand for outside forces to stop giving funding and arms to the warring parties," the department stated.

Expert Analysis

An expert, senior analyst at the International Crisis Group, called the sanctions as a "major" development, stating that "calling out those who are doing the contracting is the proper strategy".

She added that, the Colombian government ratified a law endorsing the International Convention Against the Recruitment and Use of Mercenaries, designed to limit decades of Colombian involvement in overseas wars and transform domestic defense strategy.

Sean McFate, a authority on private military contractors, called for greater wariness, noting that "sanctions are necessary but insufficient for dealing with rampant mercenarism".

"It operates in the black market and centered in the Emirates, which is relatively sanction-proof," he said. The United Arab Emirates has been repeatedly implicated of providing arms to the militia, allegations it disputes. "Expect more Colombian mercenaries," he advised.