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The United States has imposed sanctions on a network of several persons and entities charged of hiring former Colombian soldiers to fight for and train a militia force in Sudan that Washington accuses of genocidal acts.

Network Composition

Announcing the sanctions on this week, the Treasury stated the scheme was primarily made up of individuals and businesses from Colombia.

Scores of former Colombian military personnel have been recruited to go to the Sudanese warzone to combat beside the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a faction linked to horrific war crimes encompassing targeted ethnic killings and widespread kidnappings.

Discovery of Participation

The involvement of Colombian fighters initially emerged the previous year, following an report which revealed that hundreds of retired troops had been contracted to fight – an discovery that prompted an unusual statement of regret from Colombia’s foreign ministry.

These South American veterans have widely regarded as some of the most in-demand contractors globally due to their extensive battlefield experience gleaned from years of internal conflict, training on Western military gear, and high-level combat training.

Activities in Sudan

In the conflict, the contractors have allegedly instructed minors, instructed militiamen in drone operation, and participated in direct battles. One source was quoted as saying that instructing minors was "horrific and irrational" but commented that "regrettably, war operates that way".

Named Entities

Among those sanctioned was a dual national, a dual Colombian-Italian national and ex-soldier based in the Dubai. The US authorities alleged he played a pivotal function in enlisting and transporting former Colombian soldiers to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Oliveros, was also sanctioned.

Also on the sanctions list was Mateo Andrés Duque Botero, a individual with Colombian and Spanish citizenship who officials alleged managed a business accused of handling funds and payroll for the recruitment operation. "In 2024 and 2025, companies in the United States connected to Duque conducted numerous wire transfers, worth millions," the Treasury statement said.

Colombian national Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the other individual to be penalized, with the firm she operated accused of financial transactions linked to Duque and his operations.

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

Expert Analysis

Elizabeth Dickinson, with the International Crisis Group, described the sanctions as a "major" step, stating that "targeting the enablers is the proper strategy".

Furthermore, Colombia has enacted a law ratifying the global treaty against mercenarism, aiming to curb its citizens' long history in foreign conflicts and transform national security policy.

A mercenary specialist, an expert on mercenaries, urged more caution, stating that "restrictions are needed but not enough for combating rampant mercenarism".

"This is a shadow economy and based out of the Emirates, which is largely insulated from sanctions," he stated. The Emirati government has been widely accused of arming the RSF, allegations it disputes. "More contractors from Colombia are likely," he advised.