US Imposes Sanctions on Network Accused of Recruiting Colombian Fighters to the Sudanese Conflict.

The US government has imposed sanctions on a group of four people and four firms alleged of recruiting South American contractors to combat alongside and instruct a Sudanese paramilitary group which the US alleges of genocidal acts.

Group Makeup

Announcing the sanctions on this week, the US Treasury Department stated the operation was largely composed of Colombian citizens and firms.

Hundreds of ex-soldiers from Colombia have allegedly journeyed to Sudan to combat beside the Sudanese RSF militia, a group linked to severe violations encompassing massacres based on ethnicity and mass abductions.

Emergence of Involvement

The participation of ex-soldiers initially emerged the previous year, after an inquiry which revealed that hundreds of retired troops had been hired to engage in combat – an discovery that prompted an unusual statement of regret from officials in Bogotá.

These South American veterans have historically been seen as among the world’s most sought-after mercenaries due to their considerable warzone knowledge acquired during years of internal conflict, knowledge of Nato equipment, and elite military instruction.

Activities in Sudan

In Sudan, the Colombians have allegedly instructed minors, taught fighters to pilot drones, and fought directly on the frontlines. One source remarked that working with child soldiers was "horrific and irrational" but noted that "unfortunately that’s how war is".

Sanctioned Individuals

Among those sanctioned was a retired Colombian officer, a dual Colombian-Italian national and ex-soldier located in the Dubai. The Treasury alleged he played a pivotal function in recruiting and deploying mercenaries to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Oliveros, was penalized as well.

Also on the restricted list was Duque Botero, a dual Colombian-Spanish citizen who officials alleged oversaw a company implicated in handling funds and payroll for the recruitment operation. "In 2024 and 2025, American entities connected to Duque carried out numerous wire transfers, amounting to millions," the official announcement noted.

Citizen of Colombia Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the fourth individual to be sanctioned, with the entity she oversaw alleged to have money transfers connected to Duque and his companies.

"Washington reiterates its demand for foreign parties to halt the flow of financial and military support to the warring parties," the department said in a statement.

Reaction

A senior analyst, from a conflict think tank, labeled the actions as a "major" step, noting that "identifying the recruiters is the correct approach".

Furthermore, the Colombian government recently passed a statute endorsing the global treaty against mercenarism, designed to limit its citizens' long history in international fights and change national security policy.

Sean McFate, a scholar on the subject, advised additional measures, stating that "restrictions are needed but not enough for combating rampant mercenarism".

"This is a shadow economy and based out of the Emirates, which is relatively sanction-proof," he said. The UAE has been widely accused of supplying weapons to the paramilitary group, allegations it disputes. "This trend will probably continue," he advised.