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The United States has enforced penalties on a group of several persons and entities accused of enlisting Colombian mercenaries to combat alongside and instruct a armed faction in Sudan which the US alleges of acts of genocide.

Operation Structure

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

Numerous of ex-soldiers from Colombia have been recruited to go to the conflict in Sudan to fight alongside the Sudanese RSF militia, a faction implicated in terrible atrocities such as ethnically targeted slaughter and large-scale abductions.

Discovery of Participation

The participation of ex-soldiers first came to light last year, prompted by an inquiry which disclosed that over three hundred ex-military personnel had been hired to participate in the war – an event that led to an unusual statement of regret from Colombia’s foreign ministry.

These South American veterans have widely regarded as among the world’s most sought-after mercenaries due to their extensive battlefield experience gleaned from a long-running domestic war, training on Western military gear, and superior tactical education.

Activities in Sudan

In Sudan, the contractors have been accused of teaching child soldiers, provided drone warfare training, and engaged in frontline combat. An individual involved was quoted as saying that working with child soldiers was "awful and crazy" but commented that "sadly, that is the nature of conflict".

Sanctioned Individuals

Among those targeted was a dual national, a dual Colombian-Italian national and former army officer based in the United Arab Emirates. The Treasury alleged he played a pivotal function in enlisting and transporting mercenaries to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Oliveros, was also sanctioned.

Also on the penalty list was Duque Botero, a individual with Colombian and Spanish citizenship who the Treasury stated ran a firm accused of managing finances and payments for the network. "In 2024 and 2025, US-based firms associated with Duque carried out numerous wire transfers, amounting to millions," the government release noted.

Colombian national Mónica Muñoz was the other individual to be sanctioned, with the firm she operated accused of financial transactions associated with Duque and his operations.

"Washington reiterates its demand for external actors to cease providing funding and arms to the combatants," the agency said in a statement.

Expert Analysis

Elizabeth Dickinson, senior analyst at the International Crisis Group, called the sanctions as a "very significant" step, saying that "targeting the enablers is the correct approach".

It was also noted that, Colombia ratified a piece of legislation approving the anti-mercenary convention, seeking to reduce years of participation by its nationals in foreign conflicts and change its security approach.

A mercenary specialist, an expert on mercenaries, advised additional measures, stating that "restrictions are needed but not enough for addressing the growing mercenary trade".

"It operates in the black market and centered in the Emirates, which is relatively sanction-proof," he said. The United Arab Emirates has been frequently alleged of providing arms to the militia, claims it rejects. "Expect more Colombian mercenaries," the expert cautioned.