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The United States has enforced penalties on a group of several persons and entities alleged of enlisting former Colombian soldiers to fight for and train a militia force in Sudan which the US alleges of genocidal acts.

Network Composition

Announcing the sanctions on this week, the American treasury stated the operation was primarily made up of Colombian nationals and companies.

Hundreds of ex-soldiers from Colombia have allegedly journeyed to the Sudanese warzone to operate with the RSF paramilitary group, a faction accused of terrible atrocities encompassing targeted ethnic killings and large-scale abductions.

Discovery of Participation

The participation of ex-soldiers initially emerged last year, following an report which disclosed that more than 300 retired troops had been recruited to fight – an revelation that prompted an unusual statement of regret from the Colombian government.

Former Colombian military have historically been seen as highly prized fighters in conflict zones due to their considerable warzone knowledge resulting from a long-running domestic war, knowledge of advanced weaponry, and elite military instruction.

Reported Actions

In the conflict, the Colombians have been accused of teaching 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 added that "regrettably, war operates that way".

Targeted Persons

Among those targeted was a retired Colombian officer, a individual with dual citizenship and retired Colombian military officer based in the United Arab Emirates. The government accused him a pivotal function in hiring and sending ex-military personnel to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was penalized as well.

Also on the sanctions list was Mateo Duque Botero, a dual national who officials alleged ran a firm linked to handling funds and payroll for the network. "In 2024 and 2025, American entities associated with Duque conducted numerous wire transfers, totalling millions of US dollars," the government release noted.

Individual Mónica Muñoz was the other individual to be penalized, with the company she managed accused of financial transactions associated with Duque and his companies.

"The US once more urges external actors to halt the flow of funding and arms to the warring parties," the agency announced.

Reaction

A senior analyst, senior analyst at the International Crisis Group, described the measures as a "highly important" milestone, noting that "targeting the enablers is the right way to go".

She added that, Bogotá has enacted a law ratifying the global treaty against mercenarism, designed to limit years of participation by its nationals in foreign conflicts and transform its security approach.

Sean McFate, a authority on private military contractors, called for greater wariness, saying that "sanctions are necessary but insufficient for addressing widespread use of contractors".

"It’s an illicit economy and operating from the UAE, which is relatively sanction-proof," he commented. The United Arab Emirates has been repeatedly implicated of supplying weapons to the paramilitary group, claims it rejects. "More contractors from Colombia are likely," McFate warned.