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The US government has imposed sanctions on a network of several persons and entities alleged of hiring former Colombian soldiers to support and educate a Sudanese paramilitary group that Washington accuses of genocidal acts.

Operation Structure

Disclosing the sanctions on this week, the Treasury stated the network was mostly comprised of Colombian nationals and companies.

Hundreds of former Colombian military personnel have been recruited to go to Sudan to operate with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a force accused of severe violations encompassing ethnically targeted slaughter and large-scale abductions.

Revelation of Role

The involvement of Colombian fighters initially emerged last year, prompted by an inquiry which found that more than 300 retired troops had been hired to participate in the war – an event that led to 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 considerable warzone knowledge acquired during years of internal conflict, knowledge of Nato equipment, and high-level combat training.

Role in the Conflict

In the Sudanese theater, the mercenaries have allegedly instructed underage fighters, provided drone warfare training, and engaged in frontline combat. One source previously stated that instructing minors was "terrible and insane" but noted that "unfortunately that’s how war is".

Sanctioned Individuals

Among those sanctioned was a retired Colombian officer, a dual Colombian-Italian national and retired Colombian military officer based in the UAE. The government accused him a key part in hiring and sending mercenaries to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Oliveros, was similarly targeted.

Also on the sanctions list was Duque Botero, a individual with Colombian and Spanish citizenship who authorities say ran a firm linked to handling funds and payroll for the scheme. "In 2024 and 2025, US-based firms associated with Duque engaged in multiple financial transactions, totalling millions of US dollars," the government release stated.

Colombian national Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the fourth individual to be targeted, with the company she managed accused of financial transactions associated with Duque and his businesses.

"The US once more urges external actors to stop giving funding and arms to the belligerents," the agency announced.

Reaction

An expert, from a conflict think tank, called the actions as a "very significant" milestone, noting that "targeting the enablers is the correct approach".

It was also noted that, Colombia has enacted a statute ratifying the International Convention Against the Recruitment and Use of Mercenaries, seeking to reduce decades of Colombian involvement in foreign conflicts and reshape domestic defense strategy.

A mercenary specialist, a scholar on the subject, advised additional measures, noting that "restrictions are needed but not enough for addressing rampant mercenarism".

"It operates in the black market and operating from the UAE, which is relatively sanction-proof," he stated. The UAE has been frequently alleged of providing arms to the militia, an accusation it has denied. "More contractors from Colombia are likely," the expert cautioned.