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The US government has imposed sanctions on a network of four individuals and four companies charged of hiring Colombian mercenaries to combat alongside and instruct a Sudanese paramilitary group which the US alleges of acts of genocide.

Operation Structure

Disclosing the measures on this week, the Treasury stated the scheme was primarily made up of Colombian nationals and companies.

Numerous of ex-soldiers from Colombia have allegedly journeyed to Sudan to combat beside the RSF paramilitary group, a group accused of horrific war crimes encompassing ethnically targeted slaughter and large-scale abductions.

Emergence of Involvement

The participation of ex-soldiers was first uncovered last year, after an inquiry which revealed that over three hundred former soldiers had been contracted to engage in combat – an revelation that led to an unusual statement of regret from officials in Bogotá.

Former Colombian military have long been considered as among the world’s most sought-after mercenaries due to their vast combat experience resulting from years of internal conflict, training on Western military gear, and high-level combat training.

Role in the Conflict

In the Sudanese theater, the contractors have reportedly trained underage fighters, instructed militiamen in drone operation, and participated in direct battles. A mercenary previously stated that training children was "horrific and irrational" but noted that "sadly, that is the nature of conflict".

Targeted Persons

Among those penalized was a dual national, a individual with dual citizenship and former army officer operating from the United Arab Emirates. The government alleged he played a key part in recruiting and deploying ex-military personnel to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was penalized as well.

Also on the restricted list was Duque Botero, a dual national who authorities say oversaw a company accused of managing finances and payments for the network. "In 2024 and 2025, American entities linked to Duque engaged in numerous wire transfers, worth millions," the Treasury statement noted.

Citizen of Colombia Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the other individual to be sanctioned, with the entity she oversaw alleged to have money transfers linked to Duque and his companies.

"The US once more urges outside forces to cease providing funding and arms to the combatants," the Treasury said in a statement.

Reaction

Elizabeth Dickinson, senior analyst at the International Crisis Group, described the actions as a "highly important" milestone, saying that "calling out those who are doing the contracting is the correct approach".

Furthermore, Colombia ratified a law approving the global treaty against mercenarism, designed to limit its citizens' long history in international fights and reshape national security policy.

Sean McFate, a authority on private military contractors, called for greater wariness, saying that "penalties are required yet incomplete for addressing the growing mercenary trade".

"It operates in the black market and based out of the Emirates, which is difficult to penalize," he stated. The Emirati government has been widely accused of providing arms to the militia, allegations it disputes. "Expect more Colombian mercenaries," he advised.