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The Washington has enforced penalties on a group of four individuals and four companies alleged of recruiting Colombian mercenaries to combat alongside and instruct a armed faction in Sudan which the US alleges of committing genocide.

Network Composition

Announcing the measures on this week, the Treasury stated the network was largely composed of Colombian citizens and firms.

Numerous of former Colombian military personnel have been recruited to go to Sudan to combat beside the Sudanese RSF militia, a force accused of severe violations including targeted ethnic killings and widespread kidnappings.

Discovery of Participation

The involvement of Colombian fighters first came to light in 2024, after an inquiry which disclosed that over three hundred retired troops had been recruited to participate in the war – an discovery that prompted an rare mea culpa from officials in Bogotá.

Former Colombian military have historically been seen as highly prized fighters in conflict zones due to their vast combat experience acquired during a long-running domestic war, training on Western military gear, and high-level combat training.

Activities in Sudan

In the conflict, the contractors have allegedly instructed minors, instructed militiamen in drone operation, and participated in direct battles. One source was quoted as saying that working with child soldiers was "terrible and insane" but noted that "regrettably, war operates that way".

Sanctioned Individuals

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

Also on the sanctions list was Mateo Duque Botero, a dual Colombian-Spanish citizen who officials alleged managed a business linked to handling funds and payroll for the recruitment operation. "In 2024 and 2025, American entities associated with Duque engaged in numerous wire transfers, amounting to millions," the Treasury statement noted.

Individual Mónica Muñoz was the fourth individual to be penalized, with the company she managed said to have conducted financial transactions connected to Duque and his operations.

"The US once more urges outside forces to stop giving funding and arms to the combatants," the Treasury stated.

Reaction

An expert, from a conflict think tank, called the sanctions as a "highly important" development, saying that "identifying the recruiters is the proper strategy".

She added that, the Colombian government ratified a piece of legislation ratifying the International Convention Against the Recruitment and Use of Mercenaries, seeking to reduce decades of Colombian involvement in overseas wars and change national security policy.

Sean McFate, an expert on mercenaries, urged more caution, stating that "penalties are required yet incomplete for dealing with rampant mercenarism".

"It’s an illicit economy and centered in Dubai, which is largely insulated from sanctions," he said. The Emirati government has been widely accused of providing arms to the militia, an accusation it has denied. "More contractors from Colombia are likely," he advised.