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The Washington has imposed sanctions on a operation of four individuals and four companies charged of recruiting Colombian mercenaries to fight for and train a armed faction in Sudan which the US alleges of committing genocide.

Network Composition

Announcing the sanctions on this week, the Treasury stated the operation was primarily made up of Colombian nationals and companies.

Scores of ex-soldiers from Colombia have been recruited to go to the Sudanese warzone to combat beside the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a group accused of terrible atrocities such as massacres based on ethnicity and mass abductions.

Revelation of Role

The role of these mercenaries was first uncovered in 2024, following an investigation which disclosed that over three hundred retired troops had been contracted to engage in combat – an revelation that led to an unusual statement of regret from officials in Bogotá.

These South American veterans have historically been seen as among the world’s most sought-after mercenaries due to their extensive battlefield experience acquired during years of internal conflict, training on Western military gear, and superior tactical education.

Activities in Sudan

In Sudan, the Colombians have been accused of teaching minors, taught fighters to pilot drones, and fought directly on the frontlines. One source previously stated that working with child soldiers was "awful and crazy" but noted that "regrettably, war operates that way".

Sanctioned Individuals

Among those targeted was a dual national, a citizen of both Colombia and Italy and retired Colombian military officer based in the UAE. The US authorities alleged he played a key part in recruiting and deploying mercenaries to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was also sanctioned.

Also on the sanctions list was Duque Botero, a individual with Colombian and Spanish citizenship who the Treasury stated managed a business accused of handling funds and payroll for the recruitment operation. "Over the past two years, US-based firms associated with Duque engaged in multiple financial transactions, amounting to millions," the official announcement said.

Individual Mónica Muñoz was the other individual to be targeted, with the entity she oversaw said to have conducted money transfers linked to Duque and his companies.

"Washington reiterates its demand for outside forces to cease providing financial and military support to the warring parties," the Treasury announced.

Expert Analysis

An expert, from a conflict think tank, labeled the actions as a "major" step, noting that "targeting the enablers is the proper strategy".

She added that, the Colombian government recently passed a law ratifying the global treaty against mercenarism, designed to limit years of participation by its nationals in international fights and reshape domestic defense strategy.

Sean McFate, a scholar on the subject, advised additional measures, noting that "sanctions are necessary but insufficient for addressing rampant mercenarism".

"It’s an illicit economy and centered in the Emirates, which is difficult to penalize," he stated. The United Arab Emirates has been widely accused of supplying weapons to the paramilitary group, claims it rejects. "More contractors from Colombia are likely," McFate warned.