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The US government has levied restrictions on a network of several persons and entities alleged of hiring Colombian mercenaries to support and educate a armed faction in Sudan that Washington accuses of committing genocide.

Operation Structure

Disclosing the measures on Tuesday, the Treasury stated the network was primarily made up of Colombian citizens and firms.

Scores of ex-soldiers from Colombia have allegedly journeyed to the conflict in Sudan to fight alongside the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a group implicated in horrific war crimes encompassing ethnically targeted slaughter and mass abductions.

Revelation of Role

The involvement of Colombian fighters first came to light in 2024, after an inquiry which found that hundreds of former soldiers had been contracted to participate in the war – an discovery that prompted an unusual statement of regret from officials in Bogotá.

Colombian ex-soldiers have historically been seen as highly prized fighters in conflict zones due to their extensive battlefield experience acquired during years of internal conflict, knowledge of advanced weaponry, and elite military instruction.

Activities in Sudan

In the conflict, the Colombians have been accused of teaching minors, instructed militiamen in drone operation, and participated in direct battles. A mercenary previously stated that working with child soldiers was "awful and crazy" but commented that "unfortunately that’s how war is".

Sanctioned Individuals

Among those penalized was a dual national, a citizen of both Colombia and Italy and retired Colombian military officer located in the Dubai. The government alleged he played a central role in hiring and sending mercenaries to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was also sanctioned.

Also on the penalty list was Mateo Andrés Duque Botero, a individual with Colombian and Spanish citizenship who the Treasury stated oversaw a company linked to managing finances and payments for the recruitment operation. "In 2024 and 2025, companies in the United States associated with Duque conducted multiple financial transactions, worth millions," the official announcement said.

Citizen of Colombia Mónica Muñoz was the other individual to be penalized, with the company she managed accused of money transfers linked to Duque and his companies.

"The United States again calls on foreign parties to halt the flow of funding and arms to the combatants," the department stated.

Reaction

A senior analyst, with the International Crisis Group, labeled the actions as a "highly important" step, noting that "calling out those who are doing the contracting is the correct approach".

She added that, Colombia recently passed a law endorsing the anti-mercenary convention, seeking to reduce years of participation by its nationals in international fights and transform domestic defense strategy.

Sean McFate, a scholar on the subject, called for greater wariness, saying that "penalties are required yet incomplete for addressing widespread use of contractors".

"It operates in the black market and centered in Dubai, which is difficult to penalize," he commented. The United Arab Emirates has been widely accused of supplying weapons to the paramilitary group, claims it rejects. "Expect more Colombian mercenaries," the expert cautioned.