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The Washington has levied restrictions on a group of several persons and entities charged of hiring Colombian mercenaries to combat alongside and instruct a Sudanese paramilitary group which the US alleges of genocidal acts.

Network Composition

Revealing the measures on this week, the Treasury stated the operation was mostly comprised of individuals and businesses from Colombia.

Scores of retired Colombian troops have allegedly journeyed to the Sudanese warzone to operate with the RSF paramilitary group, a faction linked to horrific war crimes encompassing targeted ethnic killings and widespread kidnappings.

Discovery of Participation

The involvement of Colombian fighters initially emerged in 2024, prompted by an investigation which disclosed that more than 300 former soldiers had been contracted to participate in the war – an revelation that resulted in an unprecedented apology from the Colombian government.

These South American veterans have long been considered as some of the most in-demand contractors globally due to their extensive battlefield experience acquired during years of internal conflict, training on Nato equipment, and elite military instruction.

Activities in Sudan

In Sudan, the contractors have allegedly instructed underage fighters, instructed militiamen in drone operation, and fought directly on the frontlines. An individual involved previously stated that instructing minors was "awful and crazy" but added that "sadly, that is the nature of conflict".

Targeted Persons

Among those penalized was a retired Colombian officer, a citizen of both Colombia and Italy and retired Colombian military officer based in the United Arab Emirates. The Treasury accused him a central role in enlisting and transporting mercenaries to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was also sanctioned.

Also on the restricted list was Mateo Duque Botero, a dual national who the Treasury stated managed a business linked to handling funds and payroll for the network. "In 2024 and 2025, companies in the United States linked to Duque carried out multiple financial transactions, amounting to millions," the Treasury statement noted.

Colombian national Mónica Muñoz was the other individual to be penalized, with the entity she oversaw said to have conducted money transfers linked to Duque and his operations.

"The US once more urges foreign parties to cease providing financial and military support to the warring parties," the department stated.

Expert Analysis

An expert, senior analyst at the International Crisis Group, labeled the sanctions as a "major" development, stating that "calling out those who are doing the contracting is the correct approach".

She added that, the Colombian government ratified a statute endorsing the global treaty against mercenarism, designed to limit years of participation by its nationals in foreign conflicts and transform national security policy.

A mercenary specialist, an expert on mercenaries, advised additional measures, noting that "sanctions are necessary but insufficient for addressing the growing mercenary trade".

"This is a shadow economy and operating from Dubai, which is difficult to penalize," he stated. The UAE has been widely accused of arming the RSF, allegations it disputes. "More contractors from Colombia are likely," McFate warned.