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The US government has levied restrictions on a operation of four people and four firms charged of enlisting Colombian mercenaries to support and educate a armed faction in Sudan the United States claims of acts of genocide.

Group Makeup

Revealing the measures on this week, the Treasury stated the operation was mostly comprised of Colombian nationals and companies.

Hundreds of former Colombian military personnel have allegedly journeyed to the Sudanese warzone to fight alongside the RSF paramilitary group, a faction linked to horrific war crimes encompassing ethnically targeted slaughter and large-scale abductions.

Revelation of Role

The participation of ex-soldiers initially emerged the previous year, after an inquiry which revealed that hundreds of former soldiers had been contracted to engage in combat – an discovery that led to an unusual statement of regret from Colombia’s foreign ministry.

These South American veterans have long been considered as highly prized fighters in conflict zones due to their extensive battlefield experience resulting from decades of civil war, knowledge of Nato equipment, and superior tactical education.

Activities in Sudan

In the conflict, the contractors have reportedly trained child soldiers, instructed militiamen in drone operation, and fought directly on the frontlines. One source previously stated that training children was "horrific and irrational" but added that "sadly, that is the nature of conflict".

Sanctioned Individuals

Among those targeted was a dual national, a dual Colombian-Italian national and retired Colombian military officer located in the Dubai. The US authorities alleged he played a key part in recruiting and deploying ex-military personnel to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Oliveros, was penalized as well.

Also on the penalty list was Duque Botero, a dual Colombian-Spanish citizen who the Treasury stated managed a business linked to handling funds and payroll for the scheme. "In 2024 and 2025, companies in the United States linked to Duque conducted numerous wire transfers, worth millions," the Treasury statement stated.

Individual Mónica Muñoz was the other individual to be penalized, with the entity she oversaw said to have conducted financial transactions associated with Duque and his businesses.

"The US once more urges foreign parties to halt the flow of monetary and weaponry aid to the combatants," the agency stated.

Reaction

Elizabeth Dickinson, from a conflict think tank, labeled the measures as a "very significant" step, saying that "identifying the recruiters is the proper strategy".

Furthermore, Colombia has enacted a law approving the anti-mercenary convention, designed to limit decades of Colombian involvement in overseas wars and change national security policy.

Sean McFate, a scholar on the subject, called for greater wariness, saying that "sanctions are necessary but insufficient for dealing with widespread use of contractors".

"It operates in the black market and operating from the UAE, which is relatively sanction-proof," he commented. The United Arab Emirates has been widely accused of arming the RSF, claims it rejects. "More contractors from Colombia are likely," he advised.