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The United States has imposed sanctions on a group of four people and four firms alleged of recruiting former Colombian soldiers to fight for and train a militia force in Sudan that Washington accuses of committing genocide.

Group Makeup

Announcing the sanctions on Tuesday, the American treasury stated the scheme was mostly comprised of Colombian citizens and firms.

Numerous of retired Colombian troops have allegedly journeyed to the conflict in Sudan to operate with the Sudanese RSF militia, a force linked to terrible atrocities such as ethnically targeted slaughter and widespread kidnappings.

Discovery of Participation

The participation of ex-soldiers was first uncovered in 2024, after an investigation which disclosed that over three hundred former soldiers had been hired to participate in the war – an discovery that led to an rare mea culpa from the Colombian government.

Former Colombian military have long been considered as among the world’s most sought-after mercenaries due to their vast combat experience resulting from a long-running domestic war, knowledge of Western military gear, and superior tactical education.

Role in the Conflict

In the conflict, the Colombians have been accused of teaching underage fighters, taught fighters to pilot drones, and participated in direct battles. One source was quoted as saying that working with child soldiers was "awful and crazy" but added that "regrettably, war operates that way".

Targeted Persons

Among those targeted was a dual national, a citizen of both Colombia and Italy and ex-soldier based in the Dubai. The US authorities alleged he played a pivotal function in hiring and sending mercenaries to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was penalized as well.

Also on the sanctions list was Mateo Andrés Duque Botero, a dual Colombian-Spanish citizen who officials alleged oversaw a company implicated in processing money and salaries for the network. "In 2024 and 2025, companies in the United States linked to Duque carried out numerous wire transfers, worth millions," the official announcement noted.

Individual Mónica Muñoz was the other individual to be sanctioned, with the entity she oversaw alleged to have financial transactions connected to Duque and his companies.

"Washington reiterates its demand for foreign parties to halt the flow of financial and military support to the combatants," the department stated.

Expert Analysis

A senior analyst, from a conflict think tank, labeled the measures as a "highly important" milestone, stating that "targeting the enablers is the correct approach".

It was also noted that, Bogotá ratified a piece of legislation ratifying the anti-mercenary convention, designed to limit years of participation by its nationals in overseas wars and transform its security approach.

A mercenary specialist, a scholar on the subject, urged more caution, saying that "penalties are required yet incomplete for addressing widespread use of contractors".

"This is a shadow economy and operating from the Emirates, which is relatively sanction-proof," he said. The UAE has been repeatedly implicated of providing arms to the militia, an accusation it has denied. "Expect more Colombian mercenaries," McFate warned.