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The US government has levied restrictions on a operation of four people and four firms alleged of enlisting former Colombian soldiers to fight for and train a Sudanese paramilitary group which the US alleges of committing genocide.

Group Makeup

Revealing the restrictions on this week, the Treasury stated the network was mostly comprised of Colombian citizens and firms.

Scores of ex-soldiers from Colombia have been recruited to go to the Sudanese warzone to fight alongside the Sudanese RSF militia, a force linked to severe violations encompassing ethnically targeted slaughter and mass abductions.

Emergence of Involvement

The involvement of Colombian fighters was first uncovered in 2024, prompted by an inquiry which found that hundreds of former soldiers had been recruited to participate in the war – an revelation that prompted an unprecedented apology from officials in Bogotá.

These South American veterans have long been considered as among the world’s most sought-after mercenaries due to their extensive battlefield experience acquired during decades of civil war, training on Western military gear, and superior tactical education.

Reported Actions

In Sudan, the contractors have reportedly trained minors, instructed militiamen in drone operation, and fought directly on the frontlines. One source was quoted as saying that training children was "horrific and irrational" but commented that "sadly, that is the nature of conflict".

Named Entities

Among those sanctioned was a retired Colombian officer, a dual Colombian-Italian national and ex-soldier based in the UAE. The government accused him a key part in recruiting and deploying 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 the Treasury stated ran a firm implicated in handling funds and payroll for the recruitment operation. "Over the past two years, American entities associated with Duque engaged in several money transfers, totalling millions of US dollars," the government release said.

Colombian national Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the other individual to be targeted, with the firm she operated alleged to have money transfers linked to Duque and his companies.

"The US once more urges foreign parties to halt the flow of financial and military support to the warring parties," the department stated.

Reaction

A senior analyst, with the International Crisis Group, called the sanctions as a "very significant" milestone, noting that "targeting the enablers is the right way to go".

She added that, Colombia ratified a law approving the anti-mercenary convention, designed to limit decades of Colombian involvement in foreign conflicts and change national security policy.

A mercenary specialist, an expert on mercenaries, advised additional measures, noting that "restrictions are needed but not enough for addressing the growing mercenary trade".

"It operates in the black market and centered in the UAE, which is largely insulated from sanctions," he said. The United Arab Emirates has been frequently alleged of arming the RSF, claims it rejects. "Expect more Colombian mercenaries," the expert cautioned.