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The US government has levied restrictions on a network of several persons and entities charged of hiring former Colombian soldiers to fight for and train a militia force in Sudan that Washington accuses of committing genocide.

Network Composition

Revealing the restrictions on this week, the American treasury stated the operation was mostly comprised of individuals and businesses from Colombia.

Scores of retired Colombian troops have allegedly journeyed to Sudan to combat beside the Sudanese RSF militia, a faction accused of severe violations including massacres based on ethnicity and mass abductions.

Revelation of Role

The participation of ex-soldiers initially emerged the previous year, after an report which disclosed that hundreds of retired troops had been hired to engage in combat – an event that resulted in an rare mea culpa from officials in Bogotá.

Former Colombian military have widely regarded as among the world’s most sought-after mercenaries due to their considerable warzone knowledge resulting from years of internal conflict, familiarity with Western military gear, and superior tactical education.

Activities in Sudan

In the Sudanese theater, the mercenaries have reportedly trained underage fighters, provided drone warfare training, and participated in direct battles. An individual involved previously stated that instructing minors was "horrific and irrational" but commented that "unfortunately that’s how war is".

Sanctioned Individuals

Among those penalized was a dual national, a dual Colombian-Italian national and ex-soldier based in the UAE. The Treasury said he had a pivotal function in enlisting and transporting ex-military personnel to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Oliveros, was penalized as well.

Also on the sanctions list was Mateo Duque Botero, a dual Colombian-Spanish citizen who the Treasury stated managed a business implicated in managing finances and payments for the network. "In 2024 and 2025, US-based firms linked to Duque carried out several money transfers, totalling millions of US dollars," the government release noted.

Colombian national Mónica Muñoz was the fourth individual to be targeted, with the firm she operated alleged to have financial transactions associated with Duque and his businesses.

"The US once more urges outside forces to halt the flow of financial and military support to the warring parties," the department said in a statement.

Reaction

Elizabeth Dickinson, from a conflict think tank, described the actions as a "very significant" development, stating that "calling out those who are doing the contracting is the proper strategy".

She added that, Bogotá ratified a statute ratifying the global treaty against mercenarism, designed to limit years of participation by its nationals in overseas wars and transform national security policy.

Sean McFate, an expert on mercenaries, called for greater wariness, saying that "penalties are required yet incomplete for addressing widespread use of contractors".

"This is a shadow economy and operating from Dubai, which is relatively sanction-proof," he said. The UAE has been frequently alleged of supplying weapons to the paramilitary group, allegations it disputes. "Expect more Colombian mercenaries," the expert cautioned.