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The United States has levied restrictions on a operation of four individuals and four companies charged of recruiting Colombian mercenaries to support and educate a Sudanese paramilitary group which the US alleges of acts of genocide.

Operation Structure

Disclosing the sanctions on this week, the US Treasury Department stated the network was largely composed of Colombian nationals and companies.

Hundreds of ex-soldiers from Colombia have reportedly travelled to the conflict in Sudan to combat beside the Sudanese RSF militia, a group accused of severe violations such as massacres based on ethnicity and widespread kidnappings.

Discovery of Participation

The role of these mercenaries initially emerged last year, following an inquiry which disclosed that hundreds of former soldiers had been contracted to engage in combat – an revelation that led to an unusual statement of regret from officials in Bogotá.

Former Colombian military have historically been seen as among the world’s most sought-after mercenaries due to their extensive battlefield experience gleaned from a long-running domestic war, familiarity with Nato equipment, and superior tactical education.

Activities in Sudan

In the Sudanese theater, the Colombians have allegedly instructed child soldiers, taught fighters to pilot drones, and participated in direct battles. One source was quoted as saying that instructing minors was "awful and crazy" but noted that "unfortunately that’s how war is".

Targeted Persons

Among those penalized was a retired Colombian officer, a individual with dual citizenship and retired Colombian military officer based in the UAE. The Treasury said he had a pivotal function in enlisting and transporting former Colombian soldiers to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Oliveros, was similarly targeted.

Also on the sanctions list was Mateo Andrés Duque Botero, a individual with Colombian and Spanish citizenship who officials alleged oversaw a company implicated in processing money and salaries for the recruitment operation. "In 2024 and 2025, American entities connected to Duque conducted numerous wire transfers, totalling millions of US dollars," the Treasury statement stated.

Colombian national Mónica Muñoz was the other individual to be penalized, with the entity she oversaw accused of financial transactions linked to Duque and his businesses.

"The US once more urges foreign parties to stop giving monetary and weaponry aid to the belligerents," the agency announced.

Reaction

A senior analyst, with the International Crisis Group, called the actions as a "major" development, noting that "calling out those who are doing the contracting is the correct approach".

She added that, Bogotá recently passed a law ratifying the International Convention Against the Recruitment and Use of Mercenaries, seeking to reduce years of participation by its nationals in foreign conflicts and change its security approach.

A mercenary specialist, a authority on private military contractors, advised additional measures, noting that "sanctions are necessary but insufficient for dealing with widespread use of contractors".

"It’s an illicit economy and operating from Dubai, which is largely insulated from sanctions," he commented. The United Arab Emirates has been widely accused of arming the RSF, allegations it disputes. "Expect more Colombian mercenaries," he advised.