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The Washington has levied restrictions on a group of several persons and entities accused of recruiting former Colombian soldiers to support and educate a armed faction in Sudan that Washington accuses of committing genocide.

Operation Structure

Announcing the measures on this week, the US Treasury Department stated the operation was largely composed of individuals and businesses from Colombia.

Scores of ex-soldiers from Colombia have reportedly travelled to the Sudanese warzone to fight alongside the RSF paramilitary group, a force implicated in terrible atrocities such as ethnically targeted slaughter and large-scale abductions.

Revelation of Role

The involvement of Colombian fighters first came to light last year, prompted by an inquiry which found that over three hundred ex-military personnel had been recruited to fight – an discovery that led to an rare mea culpa from Colombia’s foreign ministry.

These South American veterans have long been considered as among the world’s most sought-after mercenaries due to their vast combat experience acquired during decades of civil war, knowledge of advanced weaponry, and elite military instruction.

Reported Actions

In the Sudanese theater, the contractors have allegedly instructed underage fighters, instructed militiamen in drone operation, and fought directly on the frontlines. One source remarked that training children was "terrible and insane" but commented that "regrettably, war operates that way".

Sanctioned Individuals

Among those penalized was a retired Colombian officer, a individual with dual citizenship and retired Colombian military officer operating from the United Arab Emirates. The Treasury alleged he played a pivotal function in hiring and sending mercenaries to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Oliveros, was also sanctioned.

Also on the sanctions list was Mateo Duque Botero, a individual with Colombian and Spanish citizenship who the Treasury stated oversaw a company accused of handling funds and payroll for the scheme. "In 2024 and 2025, American entities associated with Duque engaged in several money transfers, amounting to millions," the government release said.

Individual Mónica Muñoz was the final person to be penalized, with the company she managed said to have conducted money transfers linked to Duque and his companies.

"Washington reiterates its demand for foreign parties to stop giving funding and arms to the combatants," the Treasury stated.

Expert Analysis

An expert, with the International Crisis Group, called the measures as a "very significant" milestone, stating that "identifying the recruiters is the proper strategy".

She added that, Bogotá has enacted a statute endorsing the International Convention Against the Recruitment and Use of Mercenaries, aiming to curb decades of Colombian involvement in overseas wars and reshape its security approach.

A mercenary specialist, a authority on private military contractors, urged more caution, noting that "restrictions are needed but not enough for addressing the growing mercenary trade".

"It’s an illicit economy and operating from the Emirates, which is largely insulated from sanctions," he said. The United Arab Emirates has been frequently alleged of providing arms to the militia, an accusation it has denied. "This trend will probably continue," he advised.