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The US government has levied restrictions on a group of four people and four firms alleged of enlisting Colombian mercenaries to combat alongside and instruct a militia force in Sudan which the US alleges of genocidal acts.

Operation Structure

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

Scores of ex-soldiers from Colombia have reportedly travelled to Sudan to combat beside the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a group implicated in severe violations encompassing targeted ethnic killings and mass abductions.

Revelation of Role

The role of these mercenaries was first uncovered the previous year, prompted by an inquiry which revealed that over three hundred former soldiers had been contracted to fight – an revelation that resulted in an unprecedented apology from the Colombian government.

Colombian ex-soldiers have widely regarded as among the world’s most sought-after mercenaries due to their extensive battlefield experience resulting from a long-running domestic war, training on advanced weaponry, and superior tactical education.

Activities in Sudan

In the conflict, the contractors have allegedly instructed underage fighters, instructed militiamen in drone operation, and participated in direct battles. A mercenary was quoted as saying that working with child soldiers was "terrible and insane" but added that "sadly, that is the nature of conflict".

Named Entities

Among those targeted was a dual national, a citizen of both Colombia and Italy and former army officer based in the United Arab Emirates. The US authorities accused him a pivotal function in hiring and sending ex-military personnel to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Oliveros, was penalized as well.

Also on the sanctions list was Mateo Andrés Duque Botero, a dual national who the Treasury stated ran a firm accused of processing money and salaries for the network. "In 2024 and 2025, companies in the United States linked to Duque carried out several money transfers, totalling millions of US dollars," the official announcement noted.

Individual Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the other individual to be targeted, with the company she managed alleged to have money transfers associated with Duque and his businesses.

"Washington reiterates its demand for external actors to cease providing funding and arms to the belligerents," the agency announced.

Reaction

A senior analyst, senior analyst at the International Crisis Group, described the sanctions as a "highly important" development, stating that "identifying the recruiters is the correct approach".

She added that, the Colombian government has enacted a law ratifying the global treaty against mercenarism, aiming to curb its citizens' long history in foreign conflicts and reshape domestic defense strategy.

Another expert, a scholar on the subject, advised additional measures, stating that "restrictions are needed but not enough for addressing the growing mercenary trade".

"It’s an illicit economy and centered in Dubai, which is difficult to penalize," he said. The Emirati government has been frequently alleged of supplying weapons to the paramilitary group, claims it rejects. "Expect more Colombian mercenaries," the expert cautioned.