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The Washington has imposed sanctions on a operation of four individuals and four companies accused of recruiting Colombian mercenaries to support and educate a armed faction in Sudan the United States claims of acts of genocide.

Network Composition

Announcing the measures on this week, the US Treasury Department stated the network was primarily made up of Colombian nationals and companies.

Hundreds of former Colombian military personnel have allegedly journeyed to Sudan to operate with the Sudanese RSF militia, a force implicated in horrific war crimes encompassing targeted ethnic killings and large-scale abductions.

Revelation of Role

The participation of ex-soldiers was first uncovered the previous year, prompted by an investigation which found that hundreds of retired troops had been contracted to engage in combat – an event that prompted an rare mea culpa from the Colombian government.

These South American veterans have historically been seen as highly prized fighters in conflict zones due to their considerable warzone knowledge resulting from years of internal conflict, training on advanced weaponry, and superior tactical education.

Role in the Conflict

In the Sudanese theater, the Colombians have reportedly trained underage fighters, instructed militiamen in drone operation, and participated in direct battles. One source was quoted as saying that instructing minors was "terrible and insane" but added that "regrettably, war operates that way".

Targeted Persons

Among those penalized was a retired Colombian officer, a dual Colombian-Italian national and former army officer located in the United Arab Emirates. The government said he had a central role in enlisting and transporting ex-military personnel to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Oliveros, was similarly targeted.

Also on the restricted list was Mateo Duque Botero, a dual national who the Treasury stated oversaw a company linked to handling funds and payroll for the scheme. "In 2024 and 2025, companies in the United States connected to Duque conducted multiple financial transactions, totalling millions of US dollars," the official announcement stated.

Individual Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the final person to be sanctioned, with the firm she operated alleged to have money transfers associated with Duque and his companies.

"The US once more urges external actors to cease providing funding and arms to the combatants," the department said in a statement.

Expert Analysis

An expert, senior analyst at the International Crisis Group, described the measures as a "major" development, saying that "calling out those who are doing the contracting is the proper strategy".

She added that, Bogotá recently passed a law endorsing the global treaty against mercenarism, aiming to curb years of participation by its nationals in international fights and transform domestic defense strategy.

Sean McFate, a authority on private military contractors, urged more caution, noting that "restrictions are needed but not enough for addressing widespread use of contractors".

"It’s an illicit economy and operating from the Emirates, which is largely insulated from sanctions," he stated. The UAE has been widely accused of arming the RSF, claims it rejects. "This trend will probably continue," he advised.