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The US government has imposed sanctions on a network of several persons and entities charged of enlisting Colombian mercenaries to support and educate a armed faction in Sudan that Washington accuses of genocidal acts.

Network Composition

Announcing the sanctions on this week, the US Treasury Department stated the operation was largely composed of Colombian nationals and companies.

Scores of former Colombian military personnel have reportedly travelled to Sudan to fight alongside the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a force linked to horrific war crimes such as targeted ethnic killings and mass abductions.

Discovery of Participation

The involvement of Colombian fighters first came to light in 2024, after an investigation which disclosed that hundreds of ex-military personnel had been contracted to fight – an discovery that led to an unusual statement of regret from Colombia’s foreign ministry.

These South American veterans have widely regarded as some of the most in-demand contractors globally due to their considerable warzone knowledge acquired during a long-running domestic war, knowledge of Nato equipment, and superior tactical education.

Activities in Sudan

In Sudan, the Colombians have allegedly instructed minors, instructed militiamen in drone operation, and participated in direct battles. One source was quoted as saying that instructing minors was "terrible and insane" but commented that "sadly, that is the nature of conflict".

Named Entities

Among those sanctioned was a dual national, a dual Colombian-Italian national and retired Colombian military officer based in the UAE. The US authorities accused him a pivotal function in recruiting and deploying ex-military personnel to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was similarly targeted.

Also on the sanctions list was Mateo Duque Botero, a individual with Colombian and Spanish citizenship who the Treasury stated ran a firm linked to managing finances and payments for the recruitment operation. "In 2024 and 2025, US-based firms linked to Duque engaged in numerous wire transfers, totalling millions of US dollars," the government release stated.

Colombian national Mónica Muñoz was the final person to be penalized, with the firm she operated said to have conducted money transfers associated with Duque and his companies.

"Washington reiterates its demand for outside forces to stop giving funding and arms to the combatants," the department stated.

Analyst Commentary

A senior analyst, with the International Crisis Group, described the measures as a "major" milestone, stating that "targeting the enablers is the correct approach".

She added that, the Colombian government has enacted a piece of legislation approving the International Convention Against the Recruitment and Use of Mercenaries, designed to limit decades of Colombian involvement in overseas wars and transform national security policy.

Another expert, an expert on mercenaries, called for greater wariness, noting that "sanctions are necessary but insufficient for addressing the growing mercenary trade".

"It’s an illicit economy and operating from the Emirates, which is relatively sanction-proof," he said. The Emirati government has been widely accused of arming the RSF, allegations it disputes. "More contractors from Colombia are likely," he advised.