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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 militia force in Sudan which the US alleges of acts of genocide.

Network Composition

Disclosing the sanctions on Tuesday, the Treasury stated the operation was largely composed of Colombian nationals and companies.

Numerous of ex-soldiers from Colombia have been recruited to go to Sudan to fight alongside the RSF paramilitary group, a group implicated in terrible atrocities such as targeted ethnic killings and widespread kidnappings.

Discovery of Participation

The participation of ex-soldiers was first uncovered in 2024, prompted by an inquiry which disclosed that over three hundred ex-military personnel had been contracted to participate in the war – an discovery that led to an unusual statement of regret from officials in Bogotá.

These South American veterans have widely regarded as some of the most in-demand contractors globally due to their vast combat experience acquired during decades of civil war, familiarity with Western military gear, and high-level combat training.

Activities in Sudan

In Sudan, the contractors have been accused of teaching child soldiers, provided drone warfare training, and fought directly on the frontlines. A mercenary was quoted as saying that training children was "terrible and insane" but noted that "sadly, that is the nature of conflict".

Sanctioned Individuals

Among those targeted was a retired Colombian officer, a individual with dual citizenship and former army officer operating from the UAE. The Treasury alleged he played a pivotal function in recruiting and deploying ex-military personnel to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was penalized as well.

Also on the sanctions list was Mateo Andrés Duque Botero, a individual with Colombian and Spanish citizenship who authorities say managed a business linked to managing finances and payments for the network. "Over the past two years, companies in the United States associated with Duque conducted several money transfers, worth millions," the official announcement noted.

Individual Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the fourth individual to be sanctioned, with the entity she oversaw alleged to have financial transactions associated with Duque and his companies.

"Washington reiterates its demand for external actors to halt the flow of monetary and weaponry aid to the warring parties," the Treasury said in a statement.

Analyst Commentary

A senior analyst, with the International Crisis Group, called the actions as a "very significant" development, noting that "calling out those who are doing the contracting is the proper strategy".

Furthermore, Colombia has enacted a law endorsing the International Convention Against the Recruitment and Use of Mercenaries, aiming to curb its citizens' long history in foreign conflicts and reshape national security policy.

A mercenary specialist, an expert on mercenaries, advised additional measures, noting that "restrictions are needed but not enough for addressing widespread use of contractors".

"It operates in the black market and operating from Dubai, which is difficult to penalize," he commented. The Emirati government has been widely accused of providing arms to the militia, allegations it disputes. "More contractors from Colombia are likely," McFate warned.