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The US government has levied restrictions on a operation of several persons and entities alleged of enlisting former Colombian soldiers to support and educate a Sudanese paramilitary group that Washington accuses of acts of genocide.

Network Composition

Revealing the sanctions on Tuesday, the US Treasury Department stated the scheme was largely composed of Colombian nationals and companies.

Hundreds of retired Colombian troops have reportedly travelled to Sudan to combat beside the Sudanese RSF militia, a force linked to horrific war crimes such as targeted ethnic killings and widespread kidnappings.

Emergence of Involvement

The involvement of Colombian fighters initially emerged in 2024, following an inquiry which revealed that over three hundred former soldiers had been recruited to engage in combat – an event that led to an unprecedented apology from the Colombian government.

Former Colombian military have widely regarded as among the world’s most sought-after mercenaries due to their extensive battlefield experience resulting from decades of civil war, knowledge of advanced weaponry, and high-level combat training.

Role in the Conflict

In the Sudanese theater, the Colombians have been accused of teaching minors, provided drone warfare training, and fought directly on the frontlines. An individual involved remarked that training children was "awful and crazy" but added that "regrettably, war operates that way".

Sanctioned Individuals

Among those penalized was a retired Colombian officer, a citizen of both Colombia and Italy and ex-soldier located in the UAE. The Treasury said he had a pivotal function in hiring and sending former Colombian soldiers to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was similarly targeted.

Also on the sanctions list was Duque Botero, a dual Colombian-Spanish citizen who authorities say ran a firm implicated in managing finances and payments for the recruitment operation. "In 2024 and 2025, US-based firms associated with Duque engaged in numerous wire transfers, amounting to millions," the government release said.

Individual Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the fourth individual to be targeted, with the firm she operated alleged to have financial transactions connected to Duque and his operations.

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

Reaction

Elizabeth Dickinson, with the International Crisis Group, called the sanctions as a "major" step, stating that "identifying the recruiters is the proper strategy".

She added that, Colombia ratified a statute endorsing the International Convention Against the Recruitment and Use of Mercenaries, designed to limit its citizens' long history in overseas wars and reshape domestic defense strategy.

Sean McFate, a scholar on the subject, urged more caution, stating 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 United Arab Emirates has been frequently alleged of supplying weapons to the paramilitary group, allegations it disputes. "Expect more Colombian mercenaries," the expert cautioned.