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The United States has enforced penalties on a network of several persons and entities accused of recruiting former Colombian soldiers to combat alongside and instruct a armed faction in Sudan that Washington accuses of acts of genocide.

Group Makeup

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

Scores of retired Colombian troops have been recruited to go to the Sudanese warzone to operate with the RSF paramilitary group, a faction linked to severe violations including targeted ethnic killings and widespread kidnappings.

Emergence of Involvement

The participation of ex-soldiers initially emerged in 2024, following an inquiry which revealed that more than 300 former soldiers had been hired to participate in the war – an discovery that prompted an rare mea culpa from Colombia’s foreign ministry.

Former Colombian military have widely regarded as some of the most in-demand contractors globally due to their vast combat experience resulting from a long-running domestic war, training on Western military gear, and superior tactical education.

Activities in Sudan

In the conflict, the Colombians have reportedly trained child soldiers, provided drone warfare training, and engaged in frontline combat. One source previously stated that instructing minors was "awful and crazy" but noted that "regrettably, war operates that way".

Named Entities

Among those sanctioned was a dual national, a citizen of both Colombia and Italy and ex-soldier based in the United Arab Emirates. The government said he had a key part in hiring and sending former Colombian soldiers to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Oliveros, was also sanctioned.

Also on the restricted list was Mateo Duque Botero, a dual national who authorities say managed a business implicated in handling funds and payroll for the recruitment operation. "In 2024 and 2025, US-based firms associated with Duque conducted numerous wire transfers, worth millions," the Treasury statement noted.

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

"The United States again calls on foreign parties to stop giving financial and military support to the combatants," the department stated.

Analyst Commentary

Elizabeth Dickinson, from a conflict think tank, called the actions as a "very significant" development, noting that "calling out those who are doing the contracting is the proper strategy".

It was also noted that, Colombia has enacted a statute endorsing the International Convention Against the Recruitment and Use of Mercenaries, seeking to reduce years of participation by its nationals in overseas wars and change national security policy.

Another expert, a scholar on the subject, urged more caution, stating that "sanctions are necessary but insufficient for combating widespread use of contractors".

"It operates in the black market and based out of the UAE, which is difficult to penalize," he said. The United Arab Emirates has been frequently alleged of arming the RSF, an accusation it has denied. "More contractors from Colombia are likely," he advised.