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The Washington has imposed sanctions on a group of four people and four firms charged of hiring former Colombian soldiers to fight for and train a armed faction in Sudan that Washington accuses of committing genocide.

Operation Structure

Announcing the restrictions on Tuesday, the American treasury stated the operation was largely composed of Colombian nationals and companies.

Hundreds of former Colombian military personnel have been recruited to go to Sudan to combat beside the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a force linked to horrific war crimes such as ethnically targeted slaughter and mass abductions.

Revelation of Role

The participation of ex-soldiers first came to light in 2024, after an investigation which found that over three hundred former soldiers had been recruited to participate in the war – an discovery that led to an unusual statement of regret from Colombia’s foreign ministry.

Former Colombian military have historically been seen as some of the most in-demand contractors globally due to their extensive battlefield experience gleaned from decades of civil war, knowledge of Nato equipment, and superior tactical education.

Role in the Conflict

In the conflict, the mercenaries have allegedly instructed child soldiers, provided drone warfare training, and fought directly on the frontlines. An individual involved remarked that working with child soldiers was "horrific and irrational" but added that "unfortunately that’s how war is".

Sanctioned Individuals

Among those penalized was a retired Colombian officer, a dual Colombian-Italian national and ex-soldier located in the Dubai. The government said he had a central role in enlisting and transporting mercenaries to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was penalized as well.

Also on the penalty list was Mateo Andrés Duque Botero, a dual national who officials alleged managed a business linked to managing finances and payments for the recruitment operation. "In 2024 and 2025, companies in the United States associated with Duque engaged in several money transfers, totalling millions of US dollars," the government release noted.

Colombian national Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the other individual to be targeted, with the company she managed alleged to have financial transactions linked to Duque and his businesses.

"The US once more urges external actors to cease providing monetary and weaponry aid to the combatants," the Treasury announced.

Analyst Commentary

A senior analyst, senior analyst at the International Crisis Group, described the measures as a "very significant" development, noting that "identifying the recruiters is the right way to go".

She added that, Colombia has enacted a statute ratifying the anti-mercenary convention, aiming to curb decades of Colombian involvement in overseas wars and transform its security approach.

A mercenary specialist, a authority on private military contractors, called for greater wariness, saying that "penalties are required yet incomplete for addressing the growing mercenary trade".

"It operates in the black market and operating from Dubai, which is relatively sanction-proof," he commented. The Emirati government has been widely accused of arming the RSF, allegations it disputes. "This trend will probably continue," he advised.