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The United States has imposed sanctions on a group of several persons and entities accused of recruiting Colombian mercenaries to support and educate a Sudanese paramilitary group that Washington accuses of genocidal acts.

Group Makeup

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

Scores of ex-soldiers from Colombia have allegedly journeyed to the Sudanese warzone to fight alongside the RSF paramilitary group, a group linked to severe violations such as targeted ethnic killings and widespread kidnappings.

Revelation of Role

The participation of ex-soldiers initially emerged in 2024, after an report which found that more than 300 ex-military personnel had been recruited to participate in the war – an discovery that resulted in an unusual statement of regret from Colombia’s foreign ministry.

Colombian ex-soldiers have long been considered as highly prized fighters in conflict zones due to their extensive battlefield experience resulting from a long-running domestic war, training on Western military gear, and high-level combat training.

Role in the Conflict

In the conflict, the Colombians have been accused of teaching minors, instructed militiamen in drone operation, and engaged in frontline combat. A mercenary remarked that instructing minors was "terrible and insane" but noted that "regrettably, war operates that way".

Targeted Persons

Among those sanctioned was a dual national, a citizen of both Colombia and Italy and ex-soldier based in the Dubai. The US authorities accused him a key part in recruiting and deploying ex-military personnel to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was similarly targeted.

Also on the sanctions list was Mateo Duque Botero, a dual national who officials alleged managed a business implicated in managing finances and payments for the network. "In 2024 and 2025, US-based firms associated with Duque engaged in several money transfers, worth millions," the Treasury statement said.

Colombian national Mónica Muñoz was the final person to be penalized, with the firm she operated alleged to have money transfers associated with Duque and his operations.

"The US once more urges outside forces to halt the flow of funding and arms to the belligerents," the agency announced.

Expert Analysis

An expert, with the International Crisis Group, described the measures as a "highly important" milestone, noting that "targeting the enablers is the right way to go".

She added that, Bogotá has enacted a statute ratifying the global treaty against mercenarism, aiming to curb its citizens' long history in international fights and change domestic defense strategy.

Another expert, an expert on mercenaries, called for greater wariness, saying that "restrictions are needed but not enough for combating widespread use of contractors".

"It operates in the black market and based out of the Emirates, which is relatively sanction-proof," he stated. The Emirati government has been frequently alleged of providing arms to the militia, claims it rejects. "Expect more Colombian mercenaries," McFate warned.