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The US government has levied restrictions on a operation of four people and four firms accused of enlisting Colombian mercenaries to combat alongside and instruct a Sudanese paramilitary group which the US alleges of committing genocide.

Group Makeup

Announcing the restrictions on Tuesday, the American treasury stated the scheme was mostly comprised of Colombian citizens and firms.

Scores of former Colombian military personnel have allegedly journeyed to the Sudanese warzone to fight alongside the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a faction implicated in terrible atrocities including targeted ethnic killings and widespread kidnappings.

Discovery of Participation

The involvement of Colombian fighters first came to light in 2024, following an inquiry which found that hundreds of retired troops had been hired to fight – an discovery that led to an unprecedented apology from the Colombian government.

Former Colombian military have widely regarded as highly prized fighters in conflict zones due to their extensive battlefield experience resulting from decades of civil war, training on advanced weaponry, and superior tactical education.

Role in the Conflict

In the Sudanese theater, the mercenaries have reportedly trained underage fighters, taught fighters to pilot drones, and participated in direct battles. An individual involved was quoted as saying that working with child soldiers was "awful and crazy" but added that "regrettably, war operates that way".

Named Entities

Among those targeted was a dual national, a individual with dual citizenship and former army officer located in the UAE. The government alleged he played a central role in enlisting and transporting mercenaries to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Oliveros, was also sanctioned.

Also on the penalty list was Mateo Duque Botero, a individual with Colombian and Spanish citizenship who officials alleged oversaw a company linked to handling funds and payroll for the network. "In 2024 and 2025, American entities linked to Duque carried out numerous wire transfers, worth millions," the Treasury statement noted.

Individual Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the other individual to be sanctioned, with the entity she oversaw alleged to have wire transfers associated with Duque and his businesses.

"Washington reiterates its demand for outside forces to halt the flow of funding and arms to the belligerents," the Treasury said in a statement.

Reaction

An expert, with the International Crisis Group, labeled the measures as a "major" milestone, saying that "targeting the enablers is the right way to go".

Furthermore, Colombia ratified a piece of legislation ratifying the global treaty against mercenarism, aiming to curb years of participation by its nationals in foreign conflicts and transform its security approach.

Another expert, an expert on mercenaries, urged more caution, noting that "penalties are required yet incomplete for addressing the growing mercenary trade".

"It operates in the black market and based out of the Emirates, which is difficult to penalize," he stated. The Emirati government has been widely accused of providing arms to the militia, an accusation it has denied. "Expect more Colombian mercenaries," he advised.