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The Washington has enforced penalties on a group of several persons and entities accused of recruiting Colombian mercenaries to combat alongside and instruct a armed faction in Sudan that Washington accuses of acts of genocide.

Network Composition

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

Scores of ex-soldiers from Colombia have reportedly travelled to the Sudanese warzone to combat beside the RSF paramilitary group, a group linked to terrible atrocities including targeted ethnic killings and mass abductions.

Emergence of Involvement

The involvement of Colombian fighters was first uncovered the previous year, prompted by an inquiry which disclosed that more than 300 retired troops had been contracted to participate in the war – an revelation that resulted in an rare mea culpa from officials in Bogotá.

Former Colombian military have widely regarded as highly prized fighters in conflict zones due to their extensive battlefield experience gleaned from decades of civil war, knowledge of Western military gear, and elite military instruction.

Activities in Sudan

In Sudan, the mercenaries have allegedly instructed minors, taught fighters to pilot drones, and participated in direct battles. One source previously stated that working with child soldiers was "terrible and insane" but added that "sadly, that is the nature of conflict".

Named Entities

Among those targeted was a dual national, a dual Colombian-Italian national and ex-soldier located in the UAE. The US authorities said he had a pivotal function in enlisting and transporting former Colombian soldiers to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was penalized as well.

Also on the penalty list was Duque Botero, a dual national who officials alleged oversaw a company implicated in processing money and salaries for the recruitment operation. "In 2024 and 2025, American entities linked to Duque conducted multiple financial transactions, totalling millions of US dollars," the official announcement stated.

Individual Mónica Muñoz was the final person to be targeted, with the company she managed accused of wire transfers linked to Duque and his operations.

"Washington reiterates its demand for external actors to stop giving monetary and weaponry aid to the warring parties," the agency stated.

Analyst Commentary

A senior analyst, senior analyst at the International Crisis Group, labeled the sanctions as a "major" development, noting that "targeting the enablers is the correct approach".

She added that, Colombia recently passed a statute ratifying the global treaty against mercenarism, designed to limit years of participation by its nationals in foreign conflicts and transform national security policy.

Sean McFate, an expert on mercenaries, urged more caution, saying that "sanctions are necessary but insufficient for combating rampant mercenarism".

"This is a shadow economy and operating from Dubai, which is difficult to penalize," he commented. The Emirati government has been frequently alleged of providing arms to the militia, an accusation it has denied. "Expect more Colombian mercenaries," he advised.