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The United States has imposed sanctions on a group of four individuals and four companies charged of recruiting former Colombian soldiers to fight for and train a Sudanese paramilitary group which the US alleges of acts of genocide.

Group Makeup

Revealing the sanctions on Tuesday, the American treasury stated the network was primarily made up of individuals and businesses from Colombia.

Numerous of ex-soldiers from Colombia have allegedly journeyed to Sudan to operate with the RSF paramilitary group, a force implicated in severe violations including ethnically targeted slaughter and widespread kidnappings.

Discovery of Participation

The participation of ex-soldiers was first uncovered last year, following an inquiry which disclosed that hundreds of former soldiers had been hired to participate in the war – an discovery that led to an unusual statement of regret from the Colombian government.

These South American veterans have long been considered as among the world’s most sought-after mercenaries due to their extensive battlefield experience resulting from decades of civil war, training on Western military gear, and elite military instruction.

Activities in Sudan

In the conflict, the Colombians have allegedly instructed child soldiers, provided drone warfare training, and fought directly on the frontlines. One source remarked that instructing minors was "horrific and irrational" but noted that "regrettably, war operates that way".

Targeted Persons

Among those targeted was a retired Colombian officer, a dual Colombian-Italian national and retired Colombian military officer located in the UAE. The US authorities alleged he played a pivotal function in hiring and sending ex-military personnel to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was also sanctioned.

Also on the penalty list was Duque Botero, a individual with Colombian and Spanish citizenship who officials alleged managed a business accused of managing finances and payments for the scheme. "In 2024 and 2025, American entities linked to Duque conducted multiple financial transactions, worth millions," the Treasury statement stated.

Individual Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the final person to be sanctioned, with the entity she oversaw said to have conducted money transfers linked to Duque and his businesses.

"Washington reiterates its demand for foreign parties to halt the flow of monetary and weaponry aid to the combatants," the agency stated.

Analyst Commentary

Elizabeth Dickinson, from a conflict think tank, labeled the sanctions as a "highly important" development, noting that "targeting the enablers is the right way to go".

It was also noted that, Colombia recently passed a piece of legislation ratifying the anti-mercenary convention, designed to limit its citizens' long history in overseas wars and transform domestic defense strategy.

Sean McFate, a scholar on the subject, advised additional measures, stating that "sanctions are necessary but insufficient for addressing widespread use of contractors".

"It’s an illicit economy and centered in the Emirates, which is relatively sanction-proof," he said. The UAE has been frequently alleged of supplying weapons to the paramilitary group, an accusation it has denied. "Expect more Colombian mercenaries," McFate warned.