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The United States has enforced penalties on a network of four individuals and four companies accused of enlisting former Colombian soldiers to support and educate a militia force in Sudan that Washington accuses of acts of genocide.

Group Makeup

Disclosing the sanctions on this week, the US Treasury Department stated the operation was largely composed of individuals and businesses from Colombia.

Scores of former Colombian military personnel have reportedly travelled to the Sudanese warzone to operate with the Sudanese RSF militia, a force accused of severe violations including ethnically targeted slaughter and mass abductions.

Revelation of Role

The role of these mercenaries first came to light in 2024, after an investigation which disclosed that more than 300 retired troops had been recruited to engage in combat – an revelation that prompted an unusual statement of regret from officials in Bogotá.

These South American veterans have widely regarded as among the world’s most sought-after mercenaries due to their vast combat experience acquired during years of internal conflict, training on Nato equipment, and high-level combat training.

Activities in Sudan

In the Sudanese theater, the mercenaries have been accused of teaching underage fighters, taught fighters to pilot drones, and fought directly on the frontlines. 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".

Sanctioned Individuals

Among those targeted was a dual national, a individual with dual citizenship and retired Colombian military officer based in the United Arab Emirates. The government accused him a central role 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 individual with Colombian and Spanish citizenship who the Treasury stated oversaw a company accused of handling funds and payroll for the network. "Recently, American entities linked to Duque carried out several money transfers, totalling millions of US dollars," the government release stated.

Individual Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the final person to be targeted, with the company she managed said to have conducted financial transactions linked to Duque and his businesses.

"The United States again calls on foreign parties to cease providing financial and military support to the combatants," the Treasury said in a statement.

Analyst Commentary

A senior analyst, with the International Crisis Group, described the actions as a "very significant" development, stating that "targeting the enablers is the right way to go".

Furthermore, Colombia ratified a law endorsing the International Convention Against the Recruitment and Use of Mercenaries, seeking to reduce its citizens' long history in overseas wars and transform national security policy.

Another expert, an expert on mercenaries, called for greater wariness, saying that "restrictions are needed but not enough for dealing with widespread use of contractors".

"It’s an illicit economy and based out of the Emirates, which is difficult to penalize," he said. The UAE has been frequently alleged of arming the RSF, an accusation it has denied. "This trend will probably continue," the expert cautioned.