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The US government has imposed sanctions on a network of several persons and entities charged of enlisting Colombian mercenaries to combat alongside and instruct a Sudanese paramilitary group that Washington accuses of committing genocide.

Network Composition

Announcing the measures on Tuesday, the American treasury stated the operation was largely composed of individuals and businesses from Colombia.

Numerous of retired Colombian troops have reportedly travelled to Sudan to fight alongside the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a force linked to horrific war crimes such as targeted ethnic killings and large-scale abductions.

Revelation of Role

The involvement of Colombian fighters was first uncovered in 2024, after an investigation which revealed that hundreds of former soldiers had been hired to fight – an revelation that resulted in an unprecedented apology from officials in Bogotá.

These South American veterans have widely regarded as some of the most in-demand contractors globally due to their considerable warzone knowledge resulting from years of internal conflict, training on advanced weaponry, and elite military instruction.

Role in the Conflict

In the conflict, the Colombians have reportedly trained underage fighters, instructed militiamen in drone operation, and participated in direct battles. One source remarked that working with child soldiers was "awful and crazy" but commented that "unfortunately that’s how war is".

Targeted Persons

Among those targeted was a dual national, a dual Colombian-Italian national and ex-soldier based in the United Arab Emirates. The government accused him a key part in hiring and sending ex-military personnel to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was also sanctioned.

Also on the penalty list was Duque Botero, a dual Colombian-Spanish citizen who the Treasury stated oversaw a company implicated in handling funds and payroll for the network. "In 2024 and 2025, US-based firms linked to Duque engaged in several money transfers, totalling millions of US dollars," the Treasury statement noted.

Individual Mónica Muñoz was the fourth individual to be targeted, with the company she managed alleged to have financial transactions connected to Duque and his companies.

"The US once more urges outside forces to halt the flow of monetary and weaponry aid to the combatants," the Treasury said in a statement.

Expert Analysis

An expert, senior analyst at the International Crisis Group, called the actions as a "very significant" milestone, stating that "targeting the enablers is the proper strategy".

Furthermore, Bogotá has enacted a law ratifying the International Convention Against the Recruitment and Use of Mercenaries, seeking to reduce its citizens' long history in international fights and change its security approach.

A mercenary specialist, a scholar on the subject, urged more caution, stating that "penalties are required yet incomplete for dealing with rampant mercenarism".

"It’s an illicit economy and operating from the Emirates, which is relatively sanction-proof," he stated. The United Arab Emirates has been widely accused of providing arms to the militia, claims it rejects. "More contractors from Colombia are likely," he advised.