Washington Levies Restrictions on Network Accused of Recruiting Colombian Contractors to Sudan.

The United States has imposed sanctions on a operation of several persons and entities charged of enlisting former Colombian soldiers to fight for and train a militia force in Sudan which the US alleges of genocidal acts.

Network Composition

Disclosing the sanctions on Tuesday, the US Treasury Department stated the operation was mostly comprised of Colombian citizens and firms.

Numerous of ex-soldiers from Colombia have allegedly journeyed to Sudan to combat beside the Sudanese RSF militia, a faction implicated in severe violations such as ethnically targeted slaughter and mass abductions.

Discovery of Participation

The role of these mercenaries was first uncovered last year, prompted by an report which found that over three hundred retired troops had been recruited to fight – an event that resulted in an unprecedented apology 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 gleaned from years of internal conflict, knowledge of Nato equipment, and high-level combat training.

Role in the Conflict

In the conflict, the Colombians have reportedly trained underage fighters, instructed militiamen in drone operation, and participated in direct battles. An individual involved was quoted as saying that working with child soldiers was "awful and crazy" but noted that "unfortunately that’s how war is".

Named Entities

Among those penalized was a dual national, a dual Colombian-Italian national and retired Colombian military officer based in the UAE. The government alleged he played a pivotal function in enlisting and transporting ex-military personnel to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was similarly targeted.

Also on the sanctions list was Duque Botero, a dual national who officials alleged ran a firm implicated in handling funds and payroll for the scheme. "In 2024 and 2025, companies in the United States associated with Duque conducted numerous wire transfers, totalling millions of US dollars," the government release noted.

Colombian national Mónica Muñoz was the other individual to be targeted, with the entity she oversaw alleged to have wire transfers connected to Duque and his operations.

"The United States again calls on external actors to stop giving monetary and weaponry aid to the combatants," the department announced.

Expert Analysis

Elizabeth Dickinson, senior analyst at the International Crisis Group, described the actions as a "highly important" step, noting that "identifying the recruiters is the proper strategy".

It was also noted that, the Colombian government recently passed a law endorsing the anti-mercenary convention, aiming to curb years of participation by its nationals in overseas wars and change national security policy.

Sean McFate, a authority on private military contractors, urged more caution, stating that "restrictions are needed but not enough for combating the growing mercenary trade".

"It operates in the black market and operating from Dubai, which is difficult to penalize," he stated. The UAE has been frequently alleged of supplying weapons to the paramilitary group, claims it rejects. "More contractors from Colombia are likely," he advised.