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The United States has imposed sanctions on a operation of four people and four firms alleged of hiring Colombian mercenaries to combat alongside and instruct a armed faction in Sudan that Washington accuses of genocidal acts.

Group Makeup

Revealing the restrictions on Tuesday, the American treasury stated the scheme was mostly comprised of individuals and businesses from Colombia.

Scores of ex-soldiers from Colombia have allegedly journeyed to the Sudanese warzone to operate with the Sudanese RSF militia, a force implicated in severe violations encompassing ethnically targeted slaughter and mass abductions.

Discovery of Participation

The role of these mercenaries was first uncovered the previous year, prompted by an inquiry which revealed that over three hundred retired troops had been hired to fight – an revelation that prompted an unprecedented apology from officials in Bogotá.

These South American veterans have widely regarded as some of the most in-demand contractors globally due to their considerable warzone knowledge resulting from decades of civil war, familiarity with advanced weaponry, and elite military instruction.

Activities in Sudan

In Sudan, the Colombians have reportedly trained child soldiers, taught fighters to pilot drones, and fought directly on the frontlines. One source previously stated that training children was "terrible and insane" but noted that "unfortunately that’s how war is".

Sanctioned Individuals

Among those targeted was a retired Colombian officer, a citizen of both Colombia and Italy and former army officer located in the Dubai. The US authorities accused him a central role in hiring and sending mercenaries to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was also sanctioned.

Also on the restricted list was Mateo Andrés Duque Botero, a dual national who authorities say ran a firm implicated in managing finances and payments for the network. "In 2024 and 2025, companies in the United States linked to Duque engaged in multiple financial transactions, totalling millions of US dollars," the Treasury statement noted.

Citizen of Colombia Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the final person to be penalized, with the entity she oversaw said to have conducted wire transfers associated with Duque and his businesses.

"The US once more urges external actors to cease providing funding and arms to the warring parties," the Treasury said in a statement.

Analyst Commentary

An expert, senior analyst at the International Crisis Group, called the actions as a "highly important" step, stating that "identifying the recruiters is the right way to go".

Furthermore, Colombia has enacted a piece of legislation approving the anti-mercenary convention, seeking to reduce decades of Colombian involvement in overseas wars and transform domestic defense strategy.

Sean McFate, an expert on mercenaries, urged more caution, noting that "sanctions are necessary but insufficient for dealing with widespread use of contractors".

"This is a shadow economy and operating from the UAE, which is relatively sanction-proof," he stated. The UAE has been repeatedly implicated of providing arms to the militia, allegations it disputes. "More contractors from Colombia are likely," the expert cautioned.