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The United States has imposed sanctions on a group of four people and four firms alleged of recruiting former Colombian soldiers to fight for and train a armed faction in Sudan which the US alleges of committing genocide.

Network Composition

Announcing the restrictions on Tuesday, the Treasury stated the operation was mostly comprised of Colombian nationals and companies.

Scores of ex-soldiers from Colombia have been recruited to go to Sudan to combat beside the Sudanese RSF militia, a faction linked to terrible atrocities such as ethnically targeted slaughter and large-scale abductions.

Emergence of Involvement

The role of these mercenaries was first uncovered in 2024, following an investigation which revealed that more than 300 ex-military personnel had been recruited to participate in the war – an discovery that resulted in an unprecedented apology from Colombia’s foreign ministry.

Colombian ex-soldiers have long been considered as highly prized fighters in conflict zones due to their considerable warzone knowledge acquired during a long-running domestic war, training on Nato equipment, and elite military instruction.

Reported Actions

In the Sudanese theater, the contractors have been accused of teaching underage fighters, provided drone warfare training, and fought directly on the frontlines. An individual involved previously stated 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 individual with dual citizenship and ex-soldier based in the UAE. The government accused him a key part in recruiting and deploying mercenaries to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Oliveros, was penalized as well.

Also on the restricted list was Mateo Duque Botero, a dual Colombian-Spanish citizen who authorities say ran a firm linked to managing finances and payments for the recruitment operation. "In 2024 and 2025, US-based firms associated with Duque engaged in several money transfers, worth millions," the Treasury statement said.

Colombian national Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the fourth individual to be sanctioned, with the company she managed accused of financial transactions associated with Duque and his operations.

"The United States again calls on external actors to halt the flow of monetary and weaponry aid to the combatants," the agency announced.

Expert Analysis

Elizabeth Dickinson, senior analyst at the International Crisis Group, labeled the sanctions as a "highly important" milestone, stating that "calling out those who are doing the contracting is the correct approach".

She added that, Bogotá has enacted a piece of legislation approving the International Convention Against the Recruitment and Use of Mercenaries, seeking to reduce years of participation by its nationals in overseas wars and change national security policy.

Sean McFate, an expert on mercenaries, urged more caution, stating that "restrictions are needed but not enough for dealing with rampant mercenarism".

"It’s an illicit economy and operating from the Emirates, which is relatively sanction-proof," he stated. The UAE has been frequently alleged of providing arms to the militia, an accusation it has denied. "This trend will probably continue," the expert cautioned.