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The United States has levied restrictions on a network of four people and four firms alleged of enlisting Colombian mercenaries to fight for and train a armed faction in Sudan that Washington accuses of genocidal acts.

Group Makeup

Announcing the sanctions on Tuesday, the Treasury stated the operation was largely composed of Colombian citizens and firms.

Hundreds of retired Colombian troops have been recruited to go to Sudan to fight alongside the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a faction accused of severe violations encompassing ethnically targeted slaughter and mass abductions.

Revelation of Role

The involvement of Colombian fighters initially emerged in 2024, following an inquiry which found that over three hundred retired troops had been contracted to engage in combat – an discovery that led to an rare mea culpa from officials in Bogotá.

These South American veterans have widely regarded as among the world’s most sought-after mercenaries due to their vast combat experience acquired during years of internal conflict, knowledge of Nato equipment, and elite military instruction.

Role in the Conflict

In the conflict, the mercenaries have reportedly trained underage fighters, instructed militiamen in drone operation, and engaged in frontline combat. An individual involved was quoted as saying that instructing minors was "horrific and irrational" but noted that "regrettably, war operates that way".

Named Entities

Among those sanctioned was a retired Colombian officer, a citizen of both Colombia and Italy and retired Colombian military officer based in the United Arab Emirates. The Treasury accused him a pivotal function in recruiting and deploying former Colombian soldiers to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was similarly targeted.

Also on the restricted list was Duque Botero, a dual Colombian-Spanish citizen who authorities say managed a business linked to processing money and salaries for the scheme. "Over the past two years, US-based firms connected to Duque carried out several money transfers, amounting to millions," the official announcement noted.

Individual Mónica Muñoz was the other individual to be penalized, with the firm she operated accused of wire transfers connected to Duque and his companies.

"The United States again calls on foreign parties to cease providing monetary and weaponry aid to the warring parties," the agency stated.

Reaction

An expert, with the International Crisis Group, called the measures as a "very significant" milestone, saying that "calling out those who are doing the contracting is the correct approach".

It was also noted that, Bogotá ratified a piece of legislation ratifying the global treaty against mercenarism, aiming to curb decades of Colombian involvement in foreign conflicts and transform domestic defense strategy.

Sean McFate, an expert on mercenaries, advised additional measures, noting that "restrictions are needed but not enough for dealing with widespread use of contractors".

"It operates in the black market and centered in the Emirates, which is largely insulated from sanctions," he said. The UAE has been frequently alleged of providing arms to the militia, an accusation it has denied. "Expect more Colombian mercenaries," McFate warned.