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The US government has levied restrictions on a operation of four people and four firms charged of recruiting former Colombian soldiers to fight for and train a militia force in Sudan that Washington accuses of acts of genocide.

Group Makeup

Disclosing the sanctions on this week, the Treasury stated the scheme was largely composed of Colombian citizens and firms.

Scores of former Colombian military personnel have reportedly travelled to the Sudanese warzone to combat beside the Sudanese RSF militia, a group linked to terrible atrocities such as massacres based on ethnicity and mass abductions.

Discovery of Participation

The participation of ex-soldiers first came to light in 2024, prompted by an inquiry which disclosed that hundreds of ex-military personnel had been contracted to fight – an revelation that prompted an rare mea culpa from officials in Bogotá.

These South American veterans have widely regarded as highly prized fighters in conflict zones due to their considerable warzone knowledge gleaned from a long-running domestic war, knowledge of Nato equipment, and elite military instruction.

Activities in Sudan

In Sudan, the mercenaries have allegedly instructed minors, instructed militiamen in drone operation, and fought directly on the frontlines. An individual involved remarked that working with child soldiers was "horrific and irrational" but added that "sadly, that is the nature of conflict".

Targeted Persons

Among those targeted was a retired Colombian officer, a dual Colombian-Italian national and former army officer located in the Dubai. The US authorities said he had a pivotal function in hiring and sending mercenaries to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Oliveros, was penalized as well.

Also on the restricted list was Mateo Duque Botero, a dual national who authorities say ran a firm linked to processing money and salaries for the recruitment operation. "In 2024 and 2025, American entities linked to Duque conducted numerous wire transfers, totalling millions of US dollars," the government release noted.

Citizen of Colombia Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the fourth individual to be targeted, with the company she managed said to have conducted wire transfers linked to Duque and his companies.

"The United States again calls on outside forces to halt the flow of funding and arms to the belligerents," the Treasury announced.

Analyst Commentary

A senior analyst, senior analyst at the International Crisis Group, described the sanctions as a "highly important" development, noting that "identifying the recruiters is the right way to go".

Furthermore, Bogotá recently passed a statute endorsing the anti-mercenary convention, designed to limit decades of Colombian involvement in foreign conflicts and reshape its security approach.

Another expert, an expert on mercenaries, called for greater wariness, stating that "restrictions are needed but not enough for addressing the growing mercenary trade".

"It’s an illicit economy and centered in the Emirates, which is difficult to penalize," he commented. The United Arab Emirates has been frequently alleged of supplying weapons to the paramilitary group, an accusation it has denied. "This trend will probably continue," he advised.