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The United States has imposed sanctions on a operation of several persons and entities charged of enlisting Colombian mercenaries to fight for and train a armed faction in Sudan that Washington accuses of acts of genocide.

Group Makeup

Announcing the restrictions on this week, the Treasury stated the operation was largely composed of Colombian nationals and companies.

Hundreds of former Colombian military personnel have allegedly journeyed to Sudan to operate with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a group linked to terrible atrocities including ethnically targeted slaughter and widespread kidnappings.

Discovery of Participation

The participation of ex-soldiers was first uncovered last year, prompted by an inquiry which found that over three hundred former soldiers had been contracted to fight – an revelation that prompted an rare mea culpa from officials in Bogotá.

Former Colombian military have historically been seen as highly prized fighters in conflict zones due to their extensive battlefield experience resulting from years of internal conflict, knowledge of Nato equipment, and high-level combat training.

Reported Actions

In the Sudanese theater, the contractors have been accused of teaching underage fighters, provided drone warfare training, and participated in direct battles. One source previously stated that training children was "awful and crazy" but commented that "unfortunately that’s how war is".

Targeted Persons

Among those targeted was a dual national, a individual with dual citizenship and ex-soldier located in the Dubai. The government said he had a pivotal function in enlisting and transporting mercenaries to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Oliveros, was also sanctioned.

Also on the sanctions list was Duque Botero, a dual national who officials alleged oversaw a company accused of handling funds and payroll for the recruitment operation. "In 2024 and 2025, American entities linked to Duque carried out several money transfers, totalling millions of US dollars," the official announcement stated.

Colombian national Mónica Muñoz was the final person to be targeted, with the firm she operated said to have conducted wire transfers linked to Duque and his companies.

"The United States again calls on external actors to cease providing financial and military support to the warring parties," the Treasury announced.

Analyst Commentary

An expert, from a conflict think tank, described the actions as a "major" milestone, saying that "identifying the recruiters is the correct approach".

It was also noted that, the Colombian government has enacted a statute endorsing the global treaty against mercenarism, seeking to reduce years of participation by its nationals in foreign conflicts and change domestic defense strategy.

Another expert, an expert on mercenaries, advised additional measures, noting that "penalties are required yet incomplete for dealing with the growing mercenary trade".

"This is a shadow economy and based out of the UAE, which is largely insulated from sanctions," he stated. The United Arab Emirates has been frequently alleged of arming the RSF, an accusation it has denied. "Expect more Colombian mercenaries," he advised.