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The US government has imposed sanctions on a network of four individuals and four companies charged of recruiting Colombian mercenaries to support and educate a militia force in Sudan which the US alleges of acts of genocide.

Network Composition

Revealing the sanctions on this week, the American treasury stated the network was primarily made up of Colombian nationals and companies.

Scores of retired Colombian troops have been recruited to go to the Sudanese warzone to operate with the RSF paramilitary group, a group linked to severe violations including ethnically targeted slaughter and large-scale abductions.

Revelation of Role

The role of these mercenaries was first uncovered in 2024, following an investigation which disclosed that hundreds of former soldiers had been contracted to engage in combat – an revelation that resulted in an unusual statement of regret from the Colombian government.

Former Colombian military have long been considered as some of the most in-demand contractors globally due to their vast combat experience acquired during a long-running domestic war, knowledge of Western military gear, and high-level combat training.

Activities in Sudan

In the Sudanese theater, the Colombians have allegedly instructed minors, taught fighters to pilot drones, and fought directly on the frontlines. One source was quoted as saying that training children was "terrible and insane" but noted that "sadly, that is the nature of conflict".

Sanctioned Individuals

Among those targeted was a dual national, a individual with dual citizenship and retired Colombian military officer operating from the UAE. The Treasury accused him a central role in hiring and sending mercenaries to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was also sanctioned.

Also on the restricted list was Mateo Duque Botero, a dual Colombian-Spanish citizen who authorities say oversaw a company linked to processing money and salaries for the network. "In 2024 and 2025, companies in the United States connected to Duque conducted several money transfers, worth millions," the Treasury statement noted.

Citizen of Colombia Mónica Muñoz was the final person to be sanctioned, with the entity she oversaw said to have conducted financial transactions connected to Duque and his operations.

"Washington reiterates its demand for outside forces to cease providing monetary and weaponry aid to the warring parties," the Treasury announced.

Reaction

An expert, senior analyst at the International Crisis Group, labeled the measures as a "highly important" milestone, stating that "targeting the enablers is the right way to go".

Furthermore, Bogotá ratified a statute approving the anti-mercenary convention, seeking to reduce years of participation by its nationals in international fights and reshape national security policy.

A mercenary specialist, an expert on mercenaries, advised additional measures, noting that "restrictions are needed but not enough for dealing with widespread use of contractors".

"It’s an illicit economy and centered in the Emirates, which is relatively sanction-proof," he said. The United Arab Emirates has been repeatedly implicated of supplying weapons to the paramilitary group, an accusation it has denied. "Expect more Colombian mercenaries," the expert cautioned.