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The Washington has levied restrictions on a operation of four individuals and four companies alleged of enlisting Colombian mercenaries to combat alongside and instruct a armed faction in Sudan which the US alleges of acts of genocide.

Network Composition

Announcing the restrictions on this week, the Treasury stated the operation was primarily made up of individuals and businesses from Colombia.

Scores of former Colombian military personnel have been recruited to go to the Sudanese warzone to combat beside the Sudanese RSF militia, a group implicated in horrific war crimes encompassing ethnically targeted slaughter and widespread kidnappings.

Emergence of Involvement

The role of these mercenaries first came to light the previous year, prompted by an investigation which found that hundreds of ex-military personnel had been contracted to fight – an revelation that prompted an unusual statement of regret from the Colombian government.

Former Colombian military have long been considered as some of the most in-demand contractors globally due to their considerable warzone knowledge resulting from decades of civil war, familiarity with Western military gear, and elite military instruction.

Reported Actions

In the conflict, the contractors have reportedly trained child soldiers, provided drone warfare training, and fought directly on the frontlines. One source previously stated that working with child soldiers was "horrific and irrational" but noted that "unfortunately that’s how war is".

Sanctioned Individuals

Among those sanctioned was a retired Colombian officer, a dual Colombian-Italian national and retired Colombian military officer based in the UAE. The Treasury alleged he played a central role in hiring and sending former Colombian soldiers to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was also sanctioned.

Also on the penalty list was Mateo Duque Botero, a dual national who the Treasury stated oversaw a company implicated in managing finances and payments for the recruitment operation. "In 2024 and 2025, companies in the United States linked to Duque conducted multiple financial transactions, amounting to millions," the Treasury statement stated.

Citizen of Colombia Mónica Muñoz was the other individual to be targeted, with the firm she operated alleged to have financial transactions linked to Duque and his businesses.

"Washington reiterates its demand for foreign parties to halt the flow of monetary and weaponry aid to the combatants," the department stated.

Reaction

Elizabeth Dickinson, with the International Crisis Group, called the actions as a "very significant" development, stating that "identifying the recruiters is the proper strategy".

Furthermore, the Colombian government recently passed a law approving the anti-mercenary convention, aiming to curb its citizens' long history in international fights and transform national security policy.

Sean McFate, a authority on private military contractors, advised additional measures, stating that "restrictions are needed but not enough for dealing with the growing mercenary trade".

"It’s an illicit economy and based out of the Emirates, which is difficult to penalize," he said. The Emirati government has been widely accused of arming the RSF, claims it rejects. "More contractors from Colombia are likely," McFate warned.