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The US government has imposed sanctions on a group of four individuals and four companies accused of hiring Colombian mercenaries to support and educate a Sudanese paramilitary group which the US alleges of genocidal acts.

Network Composition

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

Numerous of ex-soldiers from Colombia have allegedly journeyed to Sudan to combat beside the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a force accused of severe violations encompassing targeted ethnic killings and large-scale abductions.

Discovery of Participation

The involvement of Colombian fighters was first uncovered the previous year, prompted by an report which disclosed that more than 300 ex-military personnel had been recruited to engage in combat – an event that resulted in an unusual statement of regret from officials in Bogotá.

Colombian ex-soldiers have widely regarded as highly prized fighters in conflict zones due to their extensive battlefield experience resulting from years of internal conflict, training on advanced weaponry, and superior tactical education.

Reported Actions

In Sudan, the Colombians have been accused of teaching child soldiers, provided drone warfare training, and fought directly on the frontlines. One source was quoted as saying that instructing minors was "awful and crazy" but commented that "regrettably, war operates that way".

Sanctioned Individuals

Among those sanctioned was a retired Colombian officer, a dual Colombian-Italian national and retired Colombian military officer located in the Dubai. The Treasury said he had a key part in hiring and sending ex-military personnel to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Oliveros, was penalized as well.

Also on the sanctions list was Mateo Duque Botero, a individual with Colombian and Spanish citizenship who authorities say managed a business linked to managing finances and payments for the scheme. "In 2024 and 2025, American entities associated with Duque conducted numerous wire transfers, worth millions," the government release noted.

Colombian national Mónica Muñoz was the final person to be targeted, with the entity she oversaw accused of wire transfers associated with Duque and his businesses.

"The US once more urges foreign parties to halt the flow of funding and arms to the belligerents," the department said in a statement.

Reaction

An expert, from a conflict think tank, labeled the measures as a "major" milestone, stating that "calling out those who are doing the contracting is the correct approach".

She added that, Colombia recently passed a piece of legislation ratifying the global treaty against mercenarism, aiming to curb years of participation by its nationals in overseas wars and change its security approach.

A mercenary specialist, a authority on private military contractors, urged more caution, stating that "penalties are required yet incomplete for combating widespread use of contractors".

"It’s an illicit economy and centered in Dubai, which is difficult to penalize," he commented. The UAE has been frequently alleged of providing arms to the militia, allegations it disputes. "More contractors from Colombia are likely," the expert cautioned.