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The Washington has enforced penalties on a group of four people and four firms alleged of hiring Colombian mercenaries to fight for and train a armed faction in Sudan the United States claims of genocidal acts.

Group Makeup

Announcing the sanctions on this week, the Treasury stated the network was largely composed of individuals and businesses from Colombia.

Numerous of former Colombian military personnel have been recruited to go to the conflict in Sudan to fight alongside the Sudanese RSF militia, a faction accused of terrible atrocities such as massacres based on ethnicity and large-scale abductions.

Discovery of Participation

The involvement of Colombian fighters initially emerged the previous year, prompted by an report which revealed that more than 300 ex-military personnel had been hired to fight – an event that led to an rare mea culpa from Colombia’s foreign ministry.

These South American veterans have long been considered as highly prized fighters in conflict zones due to their vast combat experience resulting from a long-running domestic war, familiarity with advanced weaponry, and superior tactical education.

Role in the Conflict

In the conflict, the mercenaries have reportedly trained underage fighters, instructed militiamen in drone operation, and engaged in frontline combat. One source previously stated that working with child soldiers was "terrible and insane" but commented that "regrettably, war operates that way".

Named Entities

Among those targeted was a retired Colombian officer, a individual with dual citizenship and former army officer located in the United Arab Emirates. The US authorities said he had a pivotal function in hiring and sending ex-military personnel to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Oliveros, was penalized as well.

Also on the penalty list was Mateo Andrés Duque Botero, a dual national who officials alleged ran a firm linked to processing money and salaries for the network. "In 2024 and 2025, companies in the United States connected to Duque carried out several money transfers, amounting to millions," the Treasury statement said.

Individual Mónica Muñoz was the final person to be targeted, with the company she managed accused of financial transactions connected to Duque and his operations.

"Washington reiterates its demand for external actors to halt the flow of monetary and weaponry aid to the combatants," the Treasury announced.

Analyst Commentary

A senior analyst, senior analyst at the International Crisis Group, described the measures as a "major" milestone, saying that "calling out those who are doing the contracting is the proper strategy".

She added that, Colombia ratified a statute approving the International Convention Against the Recruitment and Use of Mercenaries, seeking to reduce decades of Colombian involvement in international fights and reshape national security policy.

Another expert, a scholar on the subject, urged more caution, stating that "penalties are required yet incomplete for dealing with widespread use of contractors".

"This is a shadow economy and operating from Dubai, which is relatively sanction-proof," he commented. The United Arab Emirates has been frequently alleged of supplying weapons to the paramilitary group, claims it rejects. "More contractors from Colombia are likely," he advised.