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The US government has levied restrictions on a network of several persons and entities accused of enlisting Colombian mercenaries to support and educate a militia force in Sudan that Washington accuses of committing genocide.

Group Makeup

Disclosing the sanctions on Tuesday, the American treasury stated the operation was largely composed of Colombian nationals and companies.

Numerous of ex-soldiers from Colombia have reportedly travelled to Sudan to operate with the Sudanese RSF militia, a faction linked to severe violations encompassing ethnically targeted slaughter and large-scale abductions.

Emergence of Involvement

The role of these mercenaries initially emerged last year, after an report which disclosed that over three hundred retired troops had been contracted to participate in the war – an discovery that prompted an rare mea culpa 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 vast combat experience acquired during decades of civil war, training on Western military gear, and superior tactical education.

Activities in Sudan

In Sudan, the mercenaries have reportedly trained minors, taught fighters to pilot drones, and engaged in frontline combat. One source was quoted as saying that training children was "terrible and insane" but commented that "unfortunately that’s how war is".

Named Entities

Among those penalized was a retired Colombian officer, a citizen of both Colombia and Italy and retired Colombian military officer operating from the UAE. The Treasury accused him a key part in enlisting and transporting mercenaries to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was also sanctioned.

Also on the sanctions list was Mateo Andrés Duque Botero, a individual with Colombian and Spanish citizenship who officials alleged oversaw a company linked to handling funds and payroll for the scheme. "In 2024 and 2025, companies in the United States linked to Duque conducted numerous wire transfers, worth millions," the Treasury statement noted.

Individual Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the final person to be targeted, with the company she managed alleged to have money transfers associated with Duque and his businesses.

"Washington reiterates its demand for external actors to halt the flow of funding and arms to the belligerents," the Treasury stated.

Analyst Commentary

Elizabeth Dickinson, with the International Crisis Group, described the actions as a "major" milestone, stating that "calling out those who are doing the contracting is the proper strategy".

She added that, Colombia recently passed a piece of legislation endorsing the global treaty against mercenarism, seeking to reduce its citizens' long history in international fights and reshape domestic defense strategy.

Sean McFate, an expert on mercenaries, called for greater wariness, saying that "penalties are required yet incomplete for addressing widespread use of contractors".

"This is a shadow economy and centered in the Emirates, which is relatively sanction-proof," he said. The United Arab Emirates has been widely accused of providing arms to the militia, an accusation it has denied. "Expect more Colombian mercenaries," the expert cautioned.