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The Washington has enforced penalties on a operation of four people and four firms alleged of enlisting former Colombian soldiers to fight for and train a Sudanese paramilitary group which the US alleges of genocidal acts.

Network Composition

Disclosing the sanctions on Tuesday, the Treasury stated the operation was mostly comprised of individuals and businesses from Colombia.

Hundreds of former Colombian military personnel have allegedly journeyed to the Sudanese warzone to combat beside the Sudanese RSF militia, a group accused of terrible atrocities encompassing massacres based on ethnicity and widespread kidnappings.

Emergence of Involvement

The participation of ex-soldiers was first uncovered last year, following an inquiry which revealed that hundreds of former soldiers had been recruited to fight – an event that led to an unusual statement of regret from Colombia’s foreign ministry.

Colombian ex-soldiers have historically been seen as among the world’s most sought-after mercenaries due to their vast combat experience resulting from a long-running domestic war, training on Nato equipment, and elite military instruction.

Reported Actions

In the Sudanese theater, the Colombians have reportedly trained child soldiers, instructed militiamen in drone operation, and fought directly on the frontlines. One source was quoted as saying that working with child soldiers was "terrible and insane" but noted that "regrettably, war operates that way".

Targeted Persons

Among those penalized was a retired Colombian officer, a citizen of both Colombia and Italy and former army officer located in the Dubai. The Treasury accused him a central role in hiring and sending mercenaries to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was similarly targeted.

Also on the sanctions list was Mateo Andrés Duque Botero, a dual Colombian-Spanish citizen who officials alleged ran a firm implicated in managing finances and payments for the recruitment operation. "In 2024 and 2025, US-based firms linked to Duque carried out multiple financial transactions, amounting to millions," the official announcement noted.

Colombian national Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the final person to be sanctioned, with the company she managed said to have conducted financial transactions connected to Duque and his operations.

"The US once more urges foreign parties to stop giving financial and military support to the warring parties," the agency announced.

Reaction

A senior analyst, from a conflict think tank, labeled the actions as a "very significant" development, saying that "targeting the enablers is the correct approach".

It was also noted that, Bogotá recently passed a piece of legislation ratifying the International Convention Against the Recruitment and Use of Mercenaries, seeking to reduce years of participation by its nationals in international fights and change national security policy.

Another expert, a authority on private military contractors, called for greater wariness, stating that "restrictions are needed but not enough for combating the growing mercenary trade".

"It’s an illicit economy and based out of the Emirates, which is largely insulated from sanctions," he stated. The United Arab Emirates has been widely accused of providing arms to the militia, allegations it disputes. "This trend will probably continue," the expert cautioned.