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The Washington has imposed sanctions on a operation of four individuals and four companies charged of enlisting Colombian mercenaries to combat alongside and instruct a Sudanese paramilitary group that Washington accuses of acts of genocide.

Group Makeup

Announcing the measures on this week, the Treasury stated the network was largely composed of individuals and businesses from Colombia.

Hundreds of ex-soldiers from Colombia have reportedly travelled to the Sudanese warzone to operate with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a faction linked to horrific war crimes encompassing ethnically targeted slaughter and widespread kidnappings.

Discovery of Participation

The participation of ex-soldiers initially emerged in 2024, prompted by an report which found that hundreds of former soldiers had been recruited to participate in the war – an event that led to an unprecedented apology from officials in Bogotá.

Colombian ex-soldiers have historically been seen as among the world’s most sought-after mercenaries due to their extensive battlefield experience gleaned from years of internal conflict, familiarity with Nato equipment, and elite military instruction.

Role in the Conflict

In Sudan, the Colombians have allegedly instructed child soldiers, instructed militiamen in drone operation, and fought directly on the frontlines. An individual involved remarked that working with child soldiers was "awful and crazy" but commented that "sadly, that is the nature of conflict".

Targeted Persons

Among those penalized was a retired Colombian officer, a dual Colombian-Italian national and retired Colombian military officer operating from the United Arab Emirates. The Treasury alleged he played a central role in hiring and sending ex-military personnel to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Oliveros, was similarly targeted.

Also on the penalty list was Duque Botero, a individual with Colombian and Spanish citizenship who officials alleged oversaw a company linked to handling funds and payroll for the scheme. "In 2024 and 2025, US-based firms connected to Duque engaged in multiple financial transactions, amounting to millions," the official announcement stated.

Individual Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the final person to be penalized, with the firm she operated accused of wire transfers connected to Duque and his companies.

"Washington reiterates its demand for outside forces to halt the flow of monetary and weaponry aid to the combatants," the department announced.

Analyst Commentary

An expert, with the International Crisis Group, described the actions as a "very significant" step, noting that "targeting the enablers is the correct approach".

It was also noted that, the Colombian government ratified a statute endorsing the anti-mercenary convention, aiming to curb years of participation by its nationals in international fights and transform domestic defense strategy.

Sean McFate, an expert on mercenaries, called for greater wariness, stating that "penalties are required yet incomplete for addressing the growing mercenary trade".

"It operates in the black market and centered in Dubai, which is relatively sanction-proof," he said. The UAE has been widely accused of providing arms to the militia, claims it rejects. "More contractors from Colombia are likely," McFate warned.