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The Washington has imposed sanctions on a group of several persons and entities charged of enlisting former Colombian soldiers to fight for and train a militia force in Sudan the United States claims of genocidal acts.

Operation Structure

Announcing the measures on this week, the US Treasury Department stated the network was primarily made up of individuals and businesses from Colombia.

Numerous of retired Colombian troops have allegedly journeyed to Sudan to operate with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a faction accused of horrific war crimes encompassing ethnically targeted slaughter and large-scale abductions.

Discovery of Participation

The role of these mercenaries initially emerged last year, following an inquiry which disclosed that more than 300 former soldiers had been contracted to engage in combat – an event that prompted an unusual statement of regret from Colombia’s foreign ministry.

Former Colombian military have historically been seen as some of the most in-demand contractors globally due to their vast combat experience acquired during years of internal conflict, familiarity with advanced weaponry, and superior tactical education.

Reported Actions

In the Sudanese theater, the Colombians have reportedly trained child soldiers, instructed militiamen in drone operation, and participated in direct battles. A mercenary previously stated that training children was "terrible and insane" but noted that "unfortunately that’s how war is".

Named Entities

Among those penalized was a dual national, a citizen of both Colombia and Italy and retired Colombian military officer based in the UAE. The government said he had a key part in hiring and sending ex-military personnel to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was similarly targeted.

Also on the sanctions list was Mateo Duque Botero, a individual with Colombian and Spanish citizenship who authorities say managed a business accused of handling funds and payroll for the recruitment operation. "In 2024 and 2025, American entities associated with Duque carried out numerous wire transfers, totalling millions of US dollars," the government release said.

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

"Washington reiterates its demand for external actors to halt the flow of monetary and weaponry aid to the combatants," the agency announced.

Analyst Commentary

An expert, with the International Crisis Group, labeled the actions as a "highly important" step, stating that "calling out those who are doing the contracting is the right way to go".

It was also noted that, Colombia has enacted a statute ratifying the International Convention Against the Recruitment and Use of Mercenaries, designed to limit its citizens' long history in foreign conflicts and reshape its security approach.

A mercenary specialist, a authority on private military contractors, advised additional measures, stating that "sanctions are necessary but insufficient for combating widespread use of contractors".

"It operates in the black market and centered in the Emirates, which is relatively sanction-proof," he commented. The UAE has been frequently alleged of arming the RSF, allegations it disputes. "More contractors from Colombia are likely," the expert cautioned.