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The United States has enforced penalties on a operation of several persons and entities accused of enlisting Colombian mercenaries to fight for and train a Sudanese paramilitary group the United States claims of genocidal acts.

Operation Structure

Disclosing the measures on this week, the US Treasury Department stated the network was mostly comprised of Colombian nationals and companies.

Numerous of former Colombian military personnel have allegedly journeyed to Sudan to fight alongside the Sudanese RSF militia, a force implicated in horrific war crimes such as ethnically targeted slaughter and large-scale abductions.

Revelation of Role

The participation of ex-soldiers first came to light in 2024, after an report which revealed that over three hundred former soldiers had been contracted to fight – an event that prompted an rare mea culpa from the Colombian government.

Colombian ex-soldiers have historically been seen as highly prized fighters in conflict zones due to their considerable warzone knowledge acquired during decades of civil war, familiarity with advanced weaponry, and elite military instruction.

Reported Actions

In Sudan, the Colombians have been accused of teaching minors, taught fighters to pilot drones, and engaged in frontline combat. An individual involved was quoted as saying that instructing minors was "awful and crazy" but noted that "unfortunately that’s how war is".

Sanctioned Individuals

Among those targeted was a retired Colombian officer, a citizen of both Colombia and Italy and former army officer based in the United Arab Emirates. The Treasury alleged he played a key part in recruiting and deploying former Colombian soldiers to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Oliveros, was penalized as well.

Also on the restricted list was Mateo Duque Botero, a individual with Colombian and Spanish citizenship who officials alleged managed a business accused of managing finances and payments for the network. "In 2024 and 2025, American entities linked to Duque conducted multiple financial transactions, amounting to millions," the official announcement said.

Colombian national Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the fourth individual to be targeted, with the firm she operated alleged to have financial transactions associated with Duque and his companies.

"The US once more urges external actors to cease providing financial and military support to the belligerents," the Treasury announced.

Expert Analysis

A senior analyst, senior analyst at the International Crisis Group, described the sanctions as a "very significant" milestone, saying that "calling out those who are doing the contracting is the correct approach".

Furthermore, Colombia has enacted a piece of legislation approving the International Convention Against the Recruitment and Use of Mercenaries, aiming to curb decades of Colombian involvement in international fights and reshape national security policy.

A mercenary specialist, an expert on mercenaries, called for greater wariness, saying that "sanctions are necessary but insufficient for combating widespread use of contractors".

"It operates in the black market and operating from the Emirates, which is largely insulated from sanctions," he commented. The United Arab Emirates has been widely accused of supplying weapons to the paramilitary group, an accusation it has denied. "Expect more Colombian mercenaries," McFate warned.