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

Group Makeup

Disclosing the sanctions on Tuesday, the US Treasury Department stated the scheme was largely composed of Colombian citizens and firms.

Hundreds of retired Colombian troops have allegedly journeyed to the conflict in Sudan to fight alongside the RSF paramilitary group, a force accused of terrible atrocities including ethnically targeted slaughter and large-scale abductions.

Emergence of Involvement

The participation of ex-soldiers initially emerged last year, following an report which revealed that more than 300 ex-military personnel had been contracted to participate in the war – an revelation that resulted in an unprecedented apology from officials in Bogotá.

These South American veterans have long been considered as highly prized fighters in conflict zones due to their vast combat experience acquired during decades of civil war, knowledge of Western military gear, and elite military instruction.

Role in the Conflict

In Sudan, the Colombians have been accused of teaching child soldiers, taught fighters to pilot drones, and participated in direct battles. An individual involved remarked that training children was "horrific and irrational" but noted that "sadly, that is the nature of conflict".

Named Entities

Among those targeted was a dual national, a individual with dual citizenship and ex-soldier based in the UAE. The US authorities accused him a central role in recruiting and deploying mercenaries to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Oliveros, was similarly targeted.

Also on the sanctions list was Duque Botero, a dual Colombian-Spanish citizen who the Treasury stated oversaw a company linked to handling funds and payroll for the scheme. "In 2024 and 2025, American entities associated with Duque conducted multiple financial transactions, amounting to millions," the Treasury statement stated.

Citizen of Colombia Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the fourth individual to be targeted, with the entity she oversaw alleged to have financial transactions connected to Duque and his operations.

"The US once more urges outside forces to cease providing financial and military support to the belligerents," the agency announced.

Expert Analysis

A senior analyst, with the International Crisis Group, called the actions as a "major" milestone, stating that "targeting the enablers is the right way to go".

Furthermore, the Colombian government has enacted a statute approving the International Convention Against the Recruitment and Use of Mercenaries, aiming to curb its citizens' long history in foreign conflicts and change national security policy.

Another expert, an expert on mercenaries, urged more caution, saying that "penalties are required yet incomplete for dealing with the growing mercenary trade".

"It operates in the black market and operating from the UAE, which is relatively sanction-proof," he commented. The United Arab Emirates has been repeatedly implicated of arming the RSF, allegations it disputes. "More contractors from Colombia are likely," McFate warned.