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The US government has levied restrictions on a group of several persons and entities charged of recruiting Colombian mercenaries to support and educate a Sudanese paramilitary group the United States claims of committing genocide.

Network Composition

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

Scores of former Colombian military personnel have reportedly travelled to Sudan to fight alongside the Sudanese RSF militia, a force implicated in horrific war crimes such as ethnically targeted slaughter and mass abductions.

Discovery of Participation

The role of these mercenaries first came to light last year, prompted by an inquiry which revealed that more than 300 ex-military personnel had been hired to fight – an event that resulted in an unusual statement of regret from Colombia’s foreign ministry.

These South American veterans have long been considered as among the world’s most sought-after mercenaries due to their vast combat experience gleaned from years of internal conflict, familiarity with Western military gear, and superior tactical education.

Role in the Conflict

In the conflict, the mercenaries have allegedly instructed child soldiers, taught fighters to pilot drones, and fought directly on the frontlines. One source previously stated that instructing minors was "terrible and insane" but noted that "unfortunately that’s how war is".

Sanctioned Individuals

Among those penalized was a retired Colombian officer, a dual Colombian-Italian national and former army officer operating from the UAE. The US authorities said he had a key part in recruiting and deploying former Colombian soldiers to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was similarly targeted.

Also on the sanctions list was Mateo Andrés Duque Botero, a individual with Colombian and Spanish citizenship who the Treasury stated managed a business linked to processing money and salaries for the network. "In 2024 and 2025, US-based firms linked to Duque engaged in several money transfers, worth millions," the government release noted.

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

"The United States again calls on external actors to cease providing funding and arms to the warring parties," the department said in a statement.

Reaction

An expert, with the International Crisis Group, labeled the sanctions as a "major" step, noting that "targeting the enablers is the proper strategy".

Furthermore, the Colombian government recently passed a law ratifying the anti-mercenary convention, aiming to curb years of participation by its nationals in international fights and change domestic defense strategy.

A mercenary specialist, a scholar on the subject, urged more caution, stating that "restrictions are needed but not enough for combating rampant mercenarism".

"It’s an illicit economy and based out of the Emirates, which is largely insulated from sanctions," he commented. The United Arab Emirates has been frequently alleged of providing arms to the militia, an accusation it has denied. "Expect more Colombian mercenaries," he advised.