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The Washington has imposed sanctions on a operation of several persons and entities accused of recruiting Colombian mercenaries to support and educate a armed faction in Sudan the United States claims of committing genocide.

Network Composition

Disclosing the measures on this week, the US Treasury Department stated the scheme was mostly comprised of individuals and businesses from Colombia.

Hundreds of retired Colombian troops have reportedly travelled to Sudan to fight alongside the RSF paramilitary group, a force accused of terrible atrocities including targeted ethnic killings and large-scale abductions.

Emergence of Involvement

The role of these mercenaries was first uncovered in 2024, following an inquiry which found that hundreds of ex-military personnel had been recruited to engage in combat – an revelation that led to an unprecedented apology from the Colombian government.

Former Colombian military have widely regarded as among the world’s most sought-after mercenaries due to their considerable warzone knowledge gleaned from a long-running domestic war, familiarity with Nato equipment, and elite military instruction.

Role in the Conflict

In Sudan, the mercenaries have reportedly trained underage fighters, provided drone warfare training, and participated in direct battles. A mercenary previously stated that working with child soldiers was "terrible and insane" but added that "unfortunately that’s how war is".

Sanctioned Individuals

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

Also on the penalty list was Duque Botero, a dual national who the Treasury stated managed a business implicated in handling funds and payroll for the scheme. "Over the past two years, companies in the United States linked to Duque carried out several money transfers, amounting to millions," the Treasury statement said.

Colombian national Mónica Muñoz was the final person to be targeted, with the company she managed alleged to have financial transactions associated with Duque and his operations.

"The United States again calls on foreign parties to stop giving monetary and weaponry aid to the combatants," the department said in a statement.

Analyst Commentary

An expert, senior analyst at the International Crisis Group, described the sanctions as a "very significant" step, noting that "calling out those who are doing the contracting is the proper strategy".

She added that, Colombia ratified a law ratifying the anti-mercenary convention, seeking to reduce years of participation by its nationals in foreign conflicts and reshape national security policy.

Another expert, an expert on mercenaries, advised additional measures, saying that "penalties are required yet incomplete for addressing widespread use of contractors".

"It’s an illicit economy and operating from Dubai, which is difficult to penalize," he said. The UAE has been widely accused of providing arms to the militia, claims it rejects. "Expect more Colombian mercenaries," he advised.