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The United States has levied restrictions on a operation of four individuals and four companies accused of hiring former Colombian soldiers to fight for and train a Sudanese paramilitary group the United States claims of genocidal acts.

Group Makeup

Disclosing the restrictions on Tuesday, the US Treasury Department stated the network was mostly comprised of Colombian citizens and firms.

Scores of ex-soldiers from Colombia have allegedly journeyed to the Sudanese warzone to operate with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a group linked to horrific war crimes including ethnically targeted slaughter and mass abductions.

Emergence of Involvement

The role of these mercenaries first came to light the previous year, after an report which disclosed that over three hundred retired troops had been contracted to participate in the war – an revelation that prompted an unprecedented apology from Colombia’s foreign ministry.

Colombian ex-soldiers have historically been seen as among the world’s most sought-after mercenaries due to their extensive battlefield experience acquired during decades of civil war, training on advanced weaponry, and high-level combat training.

Role in the Conflict

In the Sudanese theater, the Colombians have been accused of teaching child soldiers, taught fighters to pilot drones, and engaged in frontline combat. One source was quoted as saying that instructing minors was "horrific and irrational" but commented that "unfortunately that’s how war is".

Targeted Persons

Among those targeted was a retired Colombian officer, a citizen of both Colombia and Italy and retired Colombian military officer operating from the Dubai. The Treasury accused him a pivotal function in hiring and sending ex-military personnel to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Oliveros, was similarly targeted.

Also on the sanctions list was Mateo Duque Botero, a dual Colombian-Spanish citizen who authorities say ran a firm accused of managing finances and payments for the scheme. "In 2024 and 2025, companies in the United States connected to Duque engaged in numerous wire transfers, totalling millions of US dollars," the Treasury statement noted.

Colombian national Mónica Muñoz was the fourth individual to be penalized, with the firm she operated accused of financial transactions linked to Duque and his companies.

"Washington reiterates its demand for outside forces to cease providing financial and military support to the combatants," the department announced.

Reaction

A senior analyst, with the International Crisis Group, described the actions as a "major" development, saying that "targeting the enablers is the proper strategy".

It was also noted that, Colombia ratified a piece of legislation ratifying the International Convention Against the Recruitment and Use of Mercenaries, seeking to reduce years of participation by its nationals in international fights and transform national security policy.

Another expert, an expert on mercenaries, urged more caution, stating that "restrictions are needed but not enough for combating the growing mercenary trade".

"It’s an illicit economy and centered in Dubai, which is relatively sanction-proof," he stated. The UAE has been repeatedly implicated of providing arms to the militia, claims it rejects. "This trend will probably continue," he advised.