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The US government has levied restrictions on a group of four people and four firms accused of enlisting former Colombian soldiers to combat alongside and instruct a armed faction in Sudan that Washington accuses of committing genocide.

Operation Structure

Revealing the restrictions on this week, the American treasury stated the network was primarily made up of Colombian nationals and companies.

Hundreds of former Colombian military personnel have allegedly journeyed to Sudan to combat beside the RSF paramilitary group, a force linked to terrible atrocities encompassing ethnically targeted slaughter and large-scale abductions.

Revelation of Role

The involvement of Colombian fighters was first uncovered the previous year, prompted by an inquiry which found that hundreds of former soldiers had been recruited to fight – an revelation that led to an unusual statement of regret from the Colombian government.

Former Colombian military have widely regarded as highly prized fighters in conflict zones due to their extensive battlefield experience resulting from decades of civil war, familiarity with advanced weaponry, and high-level combat training.

Reported Actions

In Sudan, the Colombians have reportedly trained child soldiers, taught fighters to pilot drones, and participated in direct battles. A mercenary was quoted as saying that working with child soldiers was "awful and crazy" but noted that "unfortunately that’s how war is".

Named Entities

Among those sanctioned was a retired Colombian officer, a individual with dual citizenship and former army officer operating from the United Arab Emirates. The government said he had a pivotal function in enlisting and transporting former Colombian soldiers to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Oliveros, was similarly targeted.

Also on the sanctions list was Mateo Andrés Duque Botero, a dual national who authorities say ran a firm linked to processing money and salaries for the scheme. "In 2024 and 2025, companies in the United States connected to Duque conducted numerous wire transfers, amounting to millions," the Treasury statement stated.

Individual Mónica Muñoz was the fourth individual to be sanctioned, with the company she managed alleged to have wire transfers connected to Duque and his companies.

"Washington reiterates its demand for outside forces to halt the flow of monetary and weaponry aid to the combatants," the agency said in a statement.

Analyst Commentary

A senior analyst, senior analyst at the International Crisis Group, called the measures as a "highly important" milestone, saying that "calling out those who are doing the contracting is the correct approach".

It was also noted that, the Colombian government ratified a piece of legislation endorsing the International Convention Against the Recruitment and Use of Mercenaries, seeking to reduce decades of Colombian involvement in overseas wars and transform its security approach.

Sean McFate, an expert on mercenaries, advised additional measures, noting that "sanctions are necessary but insufficient for combating the growing mercenary trade".

"It’s an illicit economy and centered in the Emirates, which is relatively sanction-proof," he stated. The United Arab Emirates has been frequently alleged of providing arms to the militia, an accusation it has denied. "Expect more Colombian mercenaries," McFate warned.