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The US government has imposed sanctions on a group of several persons and entities charged of recruiting Colombian mercenaries to combat alongside and instruct a armed faction in Sudan the United States claims of committing genocide.

Operation Structure

Announcing the measures on Tuesday, the US Treasury Department stated the network was primarily made up of Colombian nationals and companies.

Scores of retired Colombian troops have allegedly journeyed to Sudan to operate with the Sudanese RSF militia, a group accused of severe violations including ethnically targeted slaughter and widespread kidnappings.

Emergence of Involvement

The participation of ex-soldiers initially emerged in 2024, following an inquiry which disclosed that hundreds of retired troops had been contracted to engage in combat – an discovery that led to an rare mea culpa from officials in Bogotá.

These South American veterans have historically been seen as among the world’s most sought-after mercenaries due to their vast combat experience acquired during decades of civil war, familiarity with Western military gear, and high-level combat training.

Reported Actions

In Sudan, the Colombians have allegedly instructed underage fighters, taught fighters to pilot drones, and fought directly on the frontlines. An individual involved remarked that instructing minors was "terrible and insane" but noted that "regrettably, war operates that way".

Named Entities

Among those targeted was a retired Colombian officer, a dual Colombian-Italian national and former army officer based in the Dubai. The government alleged he played a pivotal function in enlisting and transporting ex-military personnel to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was also sanctioned.

Also on the sanctions list was Mateo Duque Botero, a dual Colombian-Spanish citizen who authorities say ran a firm linked to processing money and salaries for the recruitment operation. "In 2024 and 2025, American entities associated with Duque carried out multiple financial transactions, totalling millions of US dollars," the official announcement stated.

Citizen of Colombia Mónica Muñoz was the other individual to be targeted, with the company she managed accused of money transfers connected to Duque and his operations.

"Washington reiterates its demand for external actors to cease providing monetary and weaponry aid to the belligerents," the department announced.

Expert Analysis

A senior analyst, with the International Crisis Group, labeled the actions as a "major" development, noting that "identifying the recruiters is the right way to go".

It was also noted that, Colombia ratified a law ratifying the International Convention Against the Recruitment and Use of Mercenaries, aiming to curb years of participation by its nationals in international fights and change domestic defense strategy.

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

"This is a shadow economy and operating from Dubai, which is difficult to penalize," he said. The Emirati government has been widely accused of providing arms to the militia, claims it rejects. "Expect more Colombian mercenaries," McFate warned.