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The US government has enforced penalties on a network of several persons and entities accused of hiring Colombian mercenaries to fight for and train a Sudanese paramilitary group that Washington accuses of genocidal acts.

Network Composition

Disclosing the measures on Tuesday, the Treasury stated the operation was primarily made up of Colombian nationals and companies.

Scores of retired Colombian troops have been recruited to go to the conflict in Sudan to fight alongside the RSF paramilitary group, a force linked to severe violations encompassing targeted ethnic killings and mass abductions.

Revelation of Role

The role of these mercenaries was first uncovered the previous year, prompted by an investigation which revealed that more than 300 former soldiers had been contracted to fight – an event that led to an unprecedented apology from officials in Bogotá.

Former Colombian military have long been considered as among the world’s most sought-after mercenaries due to their extensive battlefield experience gleaned from a long-running domestic war, knowledge of Nato equipment, and elite military instruction.

Role in the Conflict

In the Sudanese theater, the contractors have allegedly instructed child soldiers, taught fighters to pilot drones, and fought directly on the frontlines. One source was quoted as saying that training children was "awful and crazy" but noted that "sadly, that is the nature of conflict".

Targeted Persons

Among those sanctioned was a dual national, a citizen of both Colombia and Italy and ex-soldier based in the UAE. The US authorities alleged he played a pivotal function in recruiting and deploying former Colombian soldiers to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Oliveros, was penalized as well.

Also on the sanctions list was Duque Botero, a individual with Colombian and Spanish citizenship who the Treasury stated oversaw a company accused of processing money and salaries for the network. "In 2024 and 2025, US-based firms connected to Duque carried out multiple financial transactions, totalling millions of US dollars," the official announcement stated.

Individual Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the fourth individual to be targeted, with the company she managed alleged to have money transfers linked to Duque and his operations.

"Washington reiterates its demand for foreign parties to stop giving funding and arms to the combatants," the agency stated.

Analyst Commentary

Elizabeth Dickinson, senior analyst at the International Crisis Group, called the actions as a "highly important" step, saying that "targeting the enablers is the correct approach".

Furthermore, Colombia ratified a piece of legislation approving the global treaty against mercenarism, designed to limit its citizens' long history in international fights and reshape domestic defense strategy.

Sean McFate, a scholar on the subject, called for greater wariness, saying that "restrictions are needed but not enough for dealing with widespread use of contractors".

"This is a shadow economy and centered in Dubai, which is relatively sanction-proof," he stated. The Emirati government has been widely accused of arming the RSF, an accusation it has denied. "This trend will probably continue," the expert cautioned.