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The Washington has imposed sanctions on a operation of four people and four firms charged of recruiting former Colombian soldiers to fight for and train a militia force in Sudan which the US alleges of acts of genocide.

Network Composition

Announcing the sanctions on Tuesday, the US Treasury Department stated the network was primarily made up of Colombian nationals and companies.

Scores of former Colombian military personnel have been recruited to go to Sudan to operate with the Sudanese RSF militia, a group accused of terrible atrocities including ethnically targeted slaughter and mass abductions.

Discovery of Participation

The involvement of Colombian fighters initially emerged last year, after an inquiry which revealed that hundreds of retired troops had been recruited to participate in the war – an event that led to an unusual statement of regret from officials in Bogotá.

Former Colombian military have long been considered as among the world’s most sought-after mercenaries due to their extensive battlefield experience gleaned from years of internal conflict, training on Nato equipment, and high-level combat training.

Reported Actions

In the conflict, the Colombians have allegedly instructed underage fighters, taught fighters to pilot drones, and fought directly on the frontlines. One source was quoted as saying that training children was "awful and crazy" but noted that "sadly, that is the nature of conflict".

Targeted Persons

Among those sanctioned was a retired Colombian officer, a individual with dual citizenship and former army officer operating from the Dubai. The US authorities alleged he played a key part in hiring and sending mercenaries to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Oliveros, was also sanctioned.

Also on the penalty list was Duque Botero, a dual Colombian-Spanish citizen who the Treasury stated oversaw a company accused of processing money and salaries for the scheme. "In 2024 and 2025, American entities associated with Duque engaged in several money transfers, amounting to millions," the government release noted.

Citizen of Colombia Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the fourth individual to be penalized, with the entity she oversaw accused of money transfers connected to Duque and his businesses.

"The United States again calls on outside forces to cease providing funding and arms to the belligerents," the department stated.

Analyst Commentary

A senior analyst, with the International Crisis Group, labeled the sanctions as a "major" development, noting that "calling out those who are doing the contracting is the proper strategy".

Furthermore, Colombia has enacted a law endorsing the International Convention Against the Recruitment and Use of Mercenaries, aiming to curb decades of Colombian involvement in international fights and change national security policy.

Another expert, a scholar on the subject, advised additional measures, stating that "penalties are required yet incomplete for combating the growing mercenary trade".

"It’s an illicit economy and centered in the UAE, which is relatively sanction-proof," he said. The UAE has been widely accused of providing arms to the militia, an accusation it has denied. "Expect more Colombian mercenaries," he advised.