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The US government has levied restrictions on a operation of four individuals and four companies alleged of recruiting former Colombian soldiers to fight for and train a armed faction in Sudan that Washington accuses of acts of genocide.

Network Composition

Disclosing the restrictions on Tuesday, the US Treasury Department stated the operation was primarily made up of Colombian nationals and companies.

Numerous of retired Colombian troops have allegedly journeyed to the Sudanese warzone to operate with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a faction implicated in severe violations encompassing targeted ethnic killings and widespread kidnappings.

Discovery of Participation

The role of these mercenaries initially emerged last year, after an investigation which revealed that hundreds of former soldiers had been hired to participate in the war – an discovery that led to an unprecedented apology from officials in Bogotá.

Former Colombian military have historically been seen as highly prized fighters in conflict zones due to their considerable warzone knowledge resulting from a long-running domestic war, knowledge of Western military gear, and high-level combat training.

Reported Actions

In the conflict, the mercenaries have been accused of teaching underage fighters, provided drone warfare training, and fought directly on the frontlines. One source was quoted as saying that instructing minors was "terrible and insane" but noted that "unfortunately that’s how war is".

Named Entities

Among those targeted was a dual national, a citizen of both Colombia and Italy and retired Colombian military officer operating from the Dubai. The Treasury alleged he played a key part in hiring and sending ex-military personnel to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Oliveros, was similarly targeted.

Also on the restricted list was Mateo Andrés Duque Botero, a individual with Colombian and Spanish citizenship who authorities say ran a firm linked to processing money and salaries for the scheme. "In 2024 and 2025, US-based firms associated with Duque engaged in numerous wire transfers, worth millions," the government release noted.

Individual Mónica Muñoz was the other individual to be penalized, with the firm she operated accused of wire transfers linked to Duque and his businesses.

"The United States again calls on external actors to stop giving monetary and weaponry aid to the combatants," the Treasury said in a statement.

Reaction

A senior analyst, from a conflict think tank, described the measures as a "major" step, saying that "calling out those who are doing the contracting is the correct approach".

Furthermore, Bogotá recently passed a law endorsing the global treaty against mercenarism, seeking to reduce years of participation by its nationals in international fights and change domestic defense strategy.

Another expert, a scholar on the subject, called for greater wariness, saying that "sanctions are necessary but insufficient for combating the growing mercenary trade".

"This is a shadow economy and based out of the UAE, which is difficult to penalize," he commented. The UAE has been repeatedly implicated of supplying weapons to the paramilitary group, claims it rejects. "Expect more Colombian mercenaries," McFate warned.