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The US government has enforced penalties on a operation of four people and four firms accused of hiring former Colombian soldiers to fight for and train a armed faction in Sudan that Washington accuses of acts of genocide.

Group Makeup

Disclosing the restrictions on this week, the US Treasury Department stated the scheme was mostly comprised of individuals and businesses from Colombia.

Scores of former Colombian military personnel have reportedly travelled to Sudan to operate with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a faction accused of severe violations including targeted ethnic killings and widespread kidnappings.

Emergence of Involvement

The involvement of Colombian fighters initially emerged in 2024, following an inquiry which revealed that hundreds of former soldiers had been contracted to engage in combat – an event that prompted an unprecedented apology from the Colombian government.

These South American veterans have historically been seen as some of the most in-demand contractors globally due to their vast combat experience resulting from decades of civil war, familiarity with advanced weaponry, and high-level combat training.

Reported Actions

In the Sudanese theater, the contractors have been accused of teaching minors, instructed militiamen in drone operation, and engaged in frontline combat. A mercenary was quoted as saying that instructing minors was "horrific and irrational" but added that "sadly, that is the nature of conflict".

Targeted Persons

Among those penalized was a dual national, a citizen of both Colombia and Italy and retired Colombian military officer based in the Dubai. The government alleged he played a central role in enlisting and transporting former Colombian soldiers to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Oliveros, was penalized as well.

Also on the restricted list was Duque Botero, a dual national who the Treasury stated managed a business linked to managing finances and payments for the recruitment operation. "In 2024 and 2025, companies in the United States linked to Duque carried out multiple financial transactions, totalling millions of US dollars," the government release stated.

Citizen of Colombia Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the fourth individual to be sanctioned, with the entity she oversaw alleged to have money transfers 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 department announced.

Analyst Commentary

A senior analyst, with the International Crisis Group, labeled the measures as a "very significant" milestone, stating that "calling out those who are doing the contracting is the proper strategy".

Furthermore, Colombia recently passed a law ratifying the global treaty against mercenarism, designed to limit years of participation by its nationals in international fights and transform domestic defense strategy.

Sean McFate, an expert on mercenaries, called for greater wariness, stating that "restrictions are needed but not enough for dealing with the growing mercenary trade".

"It’s an illicit economy and operating from Dubai, which is relatively sanction-proof," he stated. The Emirati government has been widely accused of arming the RSF, an accusation it has denied. "Expect more Colombian mercenaries," he advised.