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The United States has enforced penalties on a network of four individuals and four companies charged of enlisting Colombian mercenaries to support and educate a militia force in Sudan which the US alleges of acts of genocide.

Group Makeup

Announcing the measures on this week, the US Treasury Department stated the operation was largely composed of individuals and businesses from Colombia.

Scores of ex-soldiers from Colombia have allegedly journeyed to the Sudanese warzone to combat beside the RSF paramilitary group, a force accused of terrible atrocities including massacres based on ethnicity and widespread kidnappings.

Discovery of Participation

The role of these mercenaries first came to light in 2024, prompted by an investigation which disclosed that more than 300 ex-military personnel had been contracted to fight – an event that prompted an unusual statement of regret from the Colombian government.

These South American veterans have widely regarded as some of the most in-demand contractors globally due to their extensive battlefield experience gleaned from a long-running domestic war, familiarity with Nato equipment, and superior tactical education.

Role in the Conflict

In Sudan, the Colombians have allegedly instructed underage fighters, taught fighters to pilot drones, and engaged in frontline combat. A mercenary remarked that training children was "awful and crazy" but noted that "regrettably, war operates that way".

Targeted Persons

Among those sanctioned was a retired Colombian officer, a individual with dual citizenship and former army officer located in the UAE. The US authorities said he had a pivotal function in enlisting and transporting former Colombian soldiers to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was penalized as well.

Also on the penalty list was Duque Botero, a dual Colombian-Spanish citizen who authorities say managed a business linked to processing money and salaries for the scheme. "In 2024 and 2025, US-based firms associated with Duque carried out multiple financial transactions, amounting to millions," the government release said.

Citizen of Colombia Mónica Muñoz was the final person to be penalized, with the firm she operated alleged to have wire transfers linked to Duque and his companies.

"The US once more urges foreign parties to halt the flow of financial and military support to the combatants," the agency said in a statement.

Expert Analysis

Elizabeth Dickinson, senior analyst at the International Crisis Group, labeled the measures as a "highly important" development, noting that "identifying the recruiters is the right way to go".

She added that, Bogotá recently passed a piece of legislation approving the global treaty against mercenarism, seeking to reduce decades of Colombian involvement in overseas wars and transform national security policy.

Sean McFate, an expert on mercenaries, called for greater wariness, noting that "penalties are required yet incomplete for addressing rampant mercenarism".

"It operates in the black market and centered in Dubai, which is relatively sanction-proof," he stated. The United Arab Emirates has been frequently alleged of arming the RSF, an accusation it has denied. "This trend will probably continue," the expert cautioned.