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The United States has imposed sanctions on a group of four individuals and four companies alleged of enlisting Colombian mercenaries to support and educate a armed faction in Sudan that Washington accuses of acts of genocide.

Group Makeup

Announcing the measures on Tuesday, the American treasury stated the network was largely composed of Colombian nationals and companies.

Hundreds of retired Colombian troops have allegedly journeyed to Sudan to operate with the RSF paramilitary group, a group linked to terrible atrocities encompassing targeted ethnic killings and large-scale abductions.

Emergence of Involvement

The role of these mercenaries was first uncovered in 2024, prompted by an inquiry which found that over three hundred retired troops had been hired to fight – an discovery that prompted an unprecedented apology from Colombia’s foreign ministry.

Former Colombian military have historically been seen as highly prized fighters in conflict zones due to their vast combat experience resulting from years of internal conflict, training on advanced weaponry, and superior tactical education.

Reported Actions

In the Sudanese theater, the Colombians have been accused of teaching minors, instructed militiamen in drone operation, and participated in direct battles. A mercenary previously stated that instructing minors was "horrific and irrational" but noted that "unfortunately that’s how war is".

Sanctioned Individuals

Among those targeted was a dual national, a individual with dual citizenship and ex-soldier based in the United Arab Emirates. The US authorities alleged he played a central role in recruiting and deploying former Colombian soldiers to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was penalized as well.

Also on the restricted list was Mateo Andrés Duque Botero, a dual national who officials alleged managed a business accused of handling funds and payroll for the scheme. "Recently, companies in the United States connected to Duque engaged in numerous wire transfers, totalling millions of US dollars," the Treasury statement stated.

Citizen of Colombia Mónica Muñoz was the fourth individual to be targeted, with the firm she operated said to have conducted money transfers linked to Duque and his companies.

"The United States again calls on outside forces to halt the flow of funding and arms to the belligerents," the Treasury stated.

Reaction

Elizabeth Dickinson, senior analyst at the International Crisis Group, described the actions as a "major" development, saying that "targeting the enablers is the proper strategy".

It was also noted that, Bogotá has enacted a statute ratifying the International Convention Against the Recruitment and Use of Mercenaries, aiming to curb decades of Colombian involvement in foreign conflicts and transform its security approach.

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

"This is a shadow economy and based out of the Emirates, which is largely insulated from sanctions," he said. The UAE has been repeatedly implicated of providing arms to the militia, claims it rejects. "More contractors from Colombia are likely," he advised.