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The United States has imposed sanctions on a operation of several persons and entities accused of enlisting Colombian mercenaries to fight for and train a armed faction in Sudan which the US alleges of committing genocide.

Operation Structure

Disclosing the measures on Tuesday, the US Treasury Department stated the scheme was primarily made up of Colombian nationals and companies.

Numerous of retired Colombian troops have been recruited to go to the conflict in Sudan to combat beside the RSF paramilitary group, a faction linked to severe violations encompassing ethnically targeted slaughter and mass abductions.

Emergence of Involvement

The participation of ex-soldiers first came to light last year, following an investigation which disclosed that more than 300 former soldiers had been contracted to participate in the war – an revelation that prompted an unprecedented apology 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 acquired during years of internal conflict, familiarity with Western military gear, and elite military instruction.

Activities in Sudan

In the Sudanese theater, the Colombians have reportedly trained child soldiers, taught fighters to pilot drones, and engaged in frontline combat. One source remarked that instructing minors was "awful and crazy" but commented that "sadly, that is the nature of conflict".

Targeted Persons

Among those penalized was a retired Colombian officer, a citizen of both Colombia and Italy and former army officer operating from the Dubai. The US authorities accused him a pivotal function in recruiting and deploying former Colombian soldiers to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was penalized as well.

Also on the penalty list was Mateo Duque Botero, a individual with Colombian and Spanish citizenship who authorities say ran a firm accused of managing finances and payments for the scheme. "In 2024 and 2025, American entities connected to Duque carried out several money transfers, amounting to millions," the government release noted.

Citizen of Colombia Mónica Muñoz was the final person to be targeted, with the company she managed alleged to have wire transfers associated with Duque and his companies.

"The United States again calls on external actors to cease providing financial and military support to the warring parties," the Treasury said in a statement.

Analyst Commentary

An expert, with the International Crisis Group, labeled the actions as a "major" step, saying that "targeting the enablers is the proper strategy".

It was also noted that, the Colombian government recently passed a statute endorsing the global treaty against mercenarism, seeking to reduce decades of Colombian involvement in overseas wars and change national security policy.

Sean McFate, an expert on mercenaries, advised additional measures, saying that "restrictions are needed but not enough for combating rampant mercenarism".

"It’s an illicit economy and centered in the UAE, which is difficult to penalize," he stated. The Emirati government has been frequently alleged of supplying weapons to the paramilitary group, claims it rejects. "Expect more Colombian mercenaries," McFate warned.