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The US government has imposed sanctions on a group of four individuals and four companies charged of enlisting Colombian mercenaries to support and educate a Sudanese paramilitary group the United States claims of committing genocide.

Operation Structure

Revealing the restrictions on this week, the American treasury stated the network was largely composed of Colombian nationals and companies.

Hundreds of former Colombian military personnel have reportedly travelled to Sudan to fight alongside the RSF paramilitary group, a force accused of severe violations encompassing ethnically targeted slaughter and widespread kidnappings.

Revelation of Role

The participation of ex-soldiers was first uncovered the previous year, after an inquiry which revealed that hundreds of former soldiers had been contracted to engage in combat – an event that prompted an rare mea culpa from the Colombian government.

Former Colombian military have long been considered as among the world’s most sought-after mercenaries due to their considerable warzone knowledge resulting from decades of civil war, training on Nato equipment, and elite military instruction.

Role in the Conflict

In the conflict, the contractors have allegedly instructed underage fighters, taught fighters to pilot drones, and engaged in frontline combat. One source remarked that instructing minors was "horrific and irrational" but noted that "unfortunately that’s how war is".

Targeted Persons

Among those penalized was a dual national, a individual with dual citizenship and retired Colombian military officer located in the United Arab Emirates. The Treasury accused him a central role in hiring and sending ex-military personnel to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Oliveros, was similarly targeted.

Also on the penalty list was Mateo Duque Botero, a dual national who officials alleged ran a firm accused of handling funds and payroll for the recruitment operation. "In 2024 and 2025, companies in the United States linked to Duque conducted multiple financial transactions, totalling millions of US dollars," the Treasury statement stated.

Colombian national Mónica Muñoz was the other individual to be sanctioned, with the entity she oversaw alleged to have wire transfers associated with Duque and his businesses.

"Washington reiterates its demand for foreign parties to stop giving financial and military support to the warring parties," the Treasury said in a statement.

Reaction

An expert, senior analyst at the International Crisis Group, labeled the measures as a "major" step, saying that "targeting the enablers is the correct approach".

It was also noted that, the Colombian government has enacted a statute endorsing the global treaty against mercenarism, designed to limit its citizens' long history in foreign conflicts and transform domestic defense strategy.

Another expert, a authority on private military contractors, advised additional measures, stating that "sanctions are necessary but insufficient for addressing the growing mercenary trade".

"It’s an illicit economy and operating from Dubai, which is relatively sanction-proof," he commented. The Emirati government has been frequently alleged of providing arms to the militia, claims it rejects. "Expect more Colombian mercenaries," he advised.