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The US government has enforced penalties on a group of four individuals and four companies alleged of recruiting former Colombian soldiers to support and educate a militia force in Sudan which the US alleges of acts of genocide.

Group Makeup

Announcing the restrictions on this week, the Treasury stated the network was mostly comprised of Colombian nationals and companies.

Scores of ex-soldiers from Colombia have been recruited to go to the conflict in Sudan to fight alongside the Sudanese RSF militia, a group accused of horrific war crimes including massacres based on ethnicity and widespread kidnappings.

Discovery of Participation

The participation of ex-soldiers first came to light in 2024, following an report which found that more than 300 retired troops had been hired to engage in combat – an event that resulted in an rare mea culpa from Colombia’s foreign ministry.

These South American veterans have historically been seen as among the world’s most sought-after mercenaries due to their vast combat experience acquired during a long-running domestic war, knowledge of Nato equipment, and superior tactical education.

Role in the Conflict

In Sudan, the mercenaries have been accused of teaching minors, provided drone warfare training, and participated in direct battles. An individual involved previously stated that instructing minors was "terrible and insane" but commented that "unfortunately that’s how war is".

Named Entities

Among those penalized was a dual national, a individual with dual citizenship and ex-soldier located in the Dubai. The US authorities accused him a key part in recruiting and deploying former Colombian soldiers to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Oliveros, was penalized as well.

Also on the sanctions list was Mateo Duque Botero, a dual national who the Treasury stated managed a business linked to handling funds and payroll for the network. "In 2024 and 2025, companies in the United States connected to Duque conducted multiple financial transactions, amounting to millions," the government release stated.

Citizen of Colombia Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the fourth individual to be penalized, with the company she managed alleged to have money transfers associated with Duque and his companies.

"The US once more urges foreign parties to cease providing monetary and weaponry aid to the belligerents," the agency announced.

Analyst Commentary

An expert, with the International Crisis Group, described the sanctions as a "very significant" step, stating that "identifying the recruiters is the right way to go".

Furthermore, Colombia recently passed a piece of legislation approving the global treaty against mercenarism, seeking to reduce its citizens' long history in international fights and reshape national security policy.

Sean McFate, an expert on mercenaries, called for greater wariness, noting that "restrictions are needed but not enough for combating widespread use of contractors".

"It operates in the black market and operating from the Emirates, which is relatively sanction-proof," he stated. The Emirati government has been frequently alleged of arming the RSF, claims it rejects. "This trend will probably continue," he advised.