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The United States has imposed sanctions on a group of several persons and entities accused of hiring Colombian mercenaries to combat alongside and instruct a armed faction in Sudan the United States claims of acts of genocide.

Group Makeup

Revealing the sanctions on this week, the US Treasury Department stated the network was mostly comprised of individuals and businesses from Colombia.

Hundreds of ex-soldiers from Colombia have been recruited to go to Sudan to fight alongside the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a group linked to horrific war crimes such as targeted ethnic killings and mass abductions.

Revelation of Role

The participation of ex-soldiers initially emerged last year, prompted by an investigation which revealed that over three hundred retired troops had been hired to engage in combat – an discovery that resulted in an unprecedented apology from Colombia’s foreign ministry.

These South American veterans have long been considered as among the world’s most sought-after mercenaries due to their extensive battlefield experience gleaned from years of internal conflict, training on advanced weaponry, and superior tactical education.

Activities in Sudan

In Sudan, the contractors have allegedly instructed minors, taught fighters to pilot drones, and fought directly on the frontlines. A mercenary remarked that instructing minors was "horrific and irrational" but commented that "sadly, that is the nature of conflict".

Sanctioned Individuals

Among those sanctioned was a dual national, a citizen of both Colombia and Italy and retired Colombian military officer operating from the United Arab Emirates. The US authorities said he had a key part in enlisting and transporting mercenaries to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Oliveros, was also sanctioned.

Also on the penalty list was Mateo Andrés Duque Botero, a dual national who authorities say managed a business accused of processing money and salaries for the network. "In 2024 and 2025, American entities associated with Duque carried out multiple financial transactions, amounting to millions," the Treasury statement stated.

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

"The United States again calls on foreign parties to stop giving funding and arms to the belligerents," the agency announced.

Analyst Commentary

A senior analyst, from a conflict think tank, labeled the measures as a "major" step, stating that "identifying the recruiters is the right way to go".

Furthermore, Colombia ratified a statute endorsing the anti-mercenary convention, seeking to reduce years of participation by its nationals in overseas wars and reshape domestic defense strategy.

Another expert, an expert on mercenaries, called for greater wariness, saying that "restrictions are needed but not enough for combating rampant mercenarism".

"It operates in the black market and based out of Dubai, which is relatively sanction-proof," he stated. The UAE has been repeatedly implicated of providing arms to the militia, allegations it disputes. "More contractors from Colombia are likely," McFate warned.