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The US government has levied restrictions on a operation of four people and four firms alleged of enlisting Colombian mercenaries to support and educate a militia force in Sudan that Washington accuses of acts of genocide.

Network Composition

Disclosing the sanctions on Tuesday, the American treasury stated the network was largely composed of individuals and businesses from Colombia.

Hundreds of former Colombian military personnel have allegedly journeyed to Sudan to operate with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a faction accused of horrific war crimes including massacres based on ethnicity and mass abductions.

Emergence of Involvement

The participation of ex-soldiers first came to light in 2024, following an investigation which found that over three hundred former soldiers had been recruited to participate in the war – an discovery that resulted in an rare mea culpa from the Colombian government.

Former Colombian military have historically been seen as some of the most in-demand contractors globally due to their considerable warzone knowledge gleaned from a long-running domestic war, familiarity with Nato equipment, and elite military instruction.

Reported Actions

In Sudan, the mercenaries have allegedly instructed minors, taught fighters to pilot drones, and participated in direct battles. An individual involved was quoted as saying that instructing minors was "awful and crazy" but commented that "unfortunately that’s how war is".

Targeted Persons

Among those targeted was a retired Colombian officer, a citizen of both Colombia and Italy and ex-soldier based in the UAE. The US authorities accused him a central role in enlisting and transporting mercenaries to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Oliveros, was penalized as well.

Also on the sanctions list was Mateo Duque Botero, a dual national who officials alleged oversaw a company accused of managing finances and payments for the scheme. "In 2024 and 2025, American entities associated with Duque engaged in numerous wire transfers, worth millions," the government release said.

Colombian national Mónica Muñoz was the other individual to be penalized, with the firm she operated said to have conducted wire transfers connected to Duque and his companies.

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

Expert Analysis

A senior analyst, with the International Crisis Group, described the actions as a "highly important" milestone, noting that "calling out those who are doing the contracting is the right way to go".

It was also noted that, Colombia has enacted a law approving the International Convention Against the Recruitment and Use of Mercenaries, seeking to reduce its citizens' long history in foreign conflicts and reshape its security approach.

Another expert, a scholar on the subject, called for greater wariness, noting that "penalties are required yet incomplete for addressing rampant mercenarism".

"This is a shadow economy and based out of the UAE, which is relatively sanction-proof," he commented. The United Arab Emirates has been repeatedly implicated of arming the RSF, claims it rejects. "Expect more Colombian mercenaries," the expert cautioned.