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The Washington has enforced penalties on a network of several persons and entities alleged of recruiting former Colombian soldiers to fight for and train a armed faction in Sudan which the US alleges of genocidal acts.

Operation Structure

Announcing the sanctions on Tuesday, the US Treasury Department stated the operation was primarily made up of Colombian citizens and firms.

Hundreds of former Colombian military personnel have allegedly journeyed to the conflict in Sudan to operate with the RSF paramilitary group, a force linked to terrible atrocities such as ethnically targeted slaughter and large-scale abductions.

Revelation of Role

The participation of ex-soldiers first came to light last year, prompted by an investigation which revealed that hundreds of retired troops had been contracted to participate in the war – an event that prompted an unusual statement of regret from Colombia’s foreign ministry.

Former Colombian military have widely regarded as some of the most in-demand contractors globally due to their vast combat experience acquired during decades of civil war, familiarity with advanced weaponry, and elite military instruction.

Role in the Conflict

In the conflict, the contractors have reportedly trained child soldiers, taught fighters to pilot drones, and fought directly on the frontlines. A mercenary previously stated that working with child soldiers was "terrible and insane" but noted that "regrettably, war operates that way".

Sanctioned Individuals

Among those targeted was a retired Colombian officer, a individual with dual citizenship and former army officer operating from the United Arab Emirates. The government said he had a key part in hiring and sending mercenaries to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Oliveros, was also sanctioned.

Also on the sanctions list was Mateo Andrés Duque Botero, a individual with Colombian and Spanish citizenship who officials alleged managed a business implicated in processing money and salaries for the network. "In 2024 and 2025, US-based firms linked to Duque engaged in multiple financial transactions, amounting to millions," the official announcement stated.

Citizen of Colombia Mónica Muñoz was the other individual to be sanctioned, with the entity she oversaw alleged to have money transfers linked to Duque and his operations.

"Washington reiterates its demand for outside forces to stop giving financial and military support to the warring parties," the agency announced.

Analyst Commentary

A senior analyst, with the International Crisis Group, called the sanctions as a "highly important" milestone, saying that "identifying the recruiters is the right way to go".

She added that, Colombia ratified a statute ratifying the International Convention Against the Recruitment and Use of Mercenaries, aiming to curb years of participation by its nationals in international fights and change national security policy.

Another expert, an expert on mercenaries, advised additional measures, stating that "penalties are required yet incomplete for dealing with widespread use of contractors".

"It operates in the black market and centered in the Emirates, which is relatively sanction-proof," he commented. The Emirati government has been widely accused of arming the RSF, claims it rejects. "Expect more Colombian mercenaries," McFate warned.