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The US government has levied restrictions on a operation of four individuals and four companies accused of hiring former Colombian soldiers to combat alongside and instruct a armed faction in Sudan the United States claims of committing genocide.

Network Composition

Announcing the restrictions on this week, the US Treasury Department stated the operation was largely composed of Colombian citizens and firms.

Numerous of ex-soldiers from Colombia have allegedly journeyed to Sudan to combat beside the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a group linked to horrific war crimes such as targeted ethnic killings and mass abductions.

Emergence of Involvement

The participation of ex-soldiers initially emerged in 2024, following an inquiry which found that over three hundred ex-military personnel had been recruited to participate in the war – an event that prompted an unprecedented apology from the Colombian government.

Colombian ex-soldiers have long been considered as among the world’s most sought-after mercenaries due to their vast combat experience acquired during years of internal conflict, knowledge of advanced weaponry, and elite military instruction.

Reported Actions

In the conflict, the contractors have been accused of teaching minors, taught fighters to pilot drones, and participated in direct battles. An individual involved was quoted as saying that instructing minors was "awful and crazy" but added that "regrettably, war operates that way".

Sanctioned Individuals

Among those penalized was a retired Colombian officer, a dual Colombian-Italian national and former army officer based in the United Arab Emirates. The US authorities alleged he played a central role 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 individual with Colombian and Spanish citizenship who authorities say managed a business linked to managing finances and payments for the network. "In 2024 and 2025, companies in the United States linked to Duque engaged in multiple financial transactions, amounting to millions," the Treasury statement noted.

Citizen of Colombia Mónica Muñoz was the fourth individual to be targeted, with the firm she operated accused of financial transactions connected to Duque and his businesses.

"The United States again calls on external actors to halt the flow of financial and military support to the belligerents," the department announced.

Expert Analysis

An expert, with the International Crisis Group, described the measures as a "very significant" milestone, stating that "identifying the recruiters is the correct approach".

She added that, Colombia has enacted a piece of legislation ratifying the anti-mercenary convention, seeking to reduce its citizens' long history in international fights and reshape national security policy.

A mercenary specialist, an expert on mercenaries, called for greater wariness, saying that "restrictions are needed but not enough for addressing widespread use of contractors".

"It operates in the black market and centered in the Emirates, which is largely insulated from sanctions," he stated. The United Arab Emirates has been widely accused of supplying weapons to the paramilitary group, allegations it disputes. "More contractors from Colombia are likely," he advised.