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The Washington has enforced penalties on a group of several persons and entities accused of hiring Colombian mercenaries to support and educate a militia force in Sudan the United States claims of genocidal acts.

Group Makeup

Disclosing the sanctions on Tuesday, the Treasury stated the operation was largely composed of Colombian citizens and firms.

Hundreds of retired Colombian troops have reportedly travelled to the Sudanese warzone to operate with the RSF paramilitary group, a force implicated in terrible atrocities such as targeted ethnic killings and large-scale abductions.

Revelation of Role

The involvement of Colombian fighters initially emerged last year, following an inquiry which revealed that hundreds of former soldiers had been contracted to engage in combat – an revelation that prompted an unusual statement of regret from officials in Bogotá.

Former Colombian military have historically been seen as highly prized fighters in conflict zones due to their extensive battlefield experience gleaned from a long-running domestic war, familiarity with Nato equipment, and high-level combat training.

Role in the Conflict

In the Sudanese theater, the Colombians have allegedly instructed underage fighters, instructed militiamen in drone operation, and engaged in frontline combat. An individual involved was quoted as saying that instructing minors was "horrific and irrational" but noted that "unfortunately that’s how war is".

Targeted Persons

Among those targeted was a dual national, a citizen of both Colombia and Italy and ex-soldier operating from the Dubai. The government alleged he played a central role in recruiting and deploying former Colombian soldiers to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was similarly targeted.

Also on the sanctions list was Mateo Andrés Duque Botero, a individual with Colombian and Spanish citizenship who the Treasury stated oversaw a company implicated in processing money and salaries for the scheme. "In 2024 and 2025, US-based firms associated with Duque engaged in several money transfers, worth millions," the Treasury statement said.

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

"The US once more urges external actors to cease providing financial and military support to the warring parties," the agency said in a statement.

Analyst Commentary

A senior analyst, senior analyst at the International Crisis Group, described the measures as a "very significant" milestone, noting that "targeting the enablers is the right way to go".

Furthermore, Bogotá has enacted a law approving the anti-mercenary convention, designed to limit its citizens' long history in overseas wars and change its security approach.

A mercenary specialist, an expert on mercenaries, urged more caution, stating that "penalties are required yet incomplete for addressing the growing mercenary trade".

"This is a shadow economy and operating from the UAE, which is relatively sanction-proof," he stated. The Emirati government has been repeatedly implicated of providing arms to the militia, claims it rejects. "More contractors from Colombia are likely," he advised.