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The US government has levied restrictions on a network of four people and four firms accused of enlisting former Colombian soldiers to combat alongside and instruct a armed faction in Sudan which the US alleges of acts of genocide.

Network Composition

Revealing the measures on this week, the US Treasury Department stated the scheme was primarily made up of Colombian citizens and firms.

Numerous of retired Colombian troops have reportedly travelled to the Sudanese warzone to combat beside the Sudanese RSF militia, a force accused of severe violations such as targeted ethnic killings and large-scale abductions.

Discovery of Participation

The role of these mercenaries first came to light last year, after an report which revealed that hundreds of retired troops had been hired to fight – an revelation that resulted in an unusual statement of regret from Colombia’s foreign ministry.

Former Colombian military have widely regarded as highly prized fighters in conflict zones due to their considerable warzone knowledge gleaned from a long-running domestic war, knowledge of Western military gear, and high-level combat training.

Reported Actions

In the Sudanese theater, the Colombians have reportedly trained underage fighters, taught fighters to pilot drones, and engaged in frontline combat. A mercenary remarked that working with child soldiers was "awful and crazy" but commented that "sadly, that is the nature of conflict".

Sanctioned Individuals

Among those sanctioned was a dual national, a dual Colombian-Italian national and former army officer based in the United Arab Emirates. 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 restricted list was Mateo Andrés Duque Botero, a individual with Colombian and Spanish citizenship who the Treasury stated oversaw a company implicated in processing money and salaries for the network. "In 2024 and 2025, companies in the United States associated with Duque carried out several money transfers, totalling millions of US dollars," the Treasury statement said.

Colombian national Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the final person to be targeted, with the firm she operated alleged to have wire transfers associated with Duque and his operations.

"Washington reiterates its demand for external actors to stop giving funding and arms to the belligerents," the department said in a statement.

Expert Analysis

An expert, from a conflict think tank, called the measures as a "major" development, stating that "calling out those who are doing the contracting is the right way to go".

It was also noted that, Bogotá ratified a piece of legislation approving the anti-mercenary convention, designed to limit years of participation by its nationals in foreign conflicts and reshape national security policy.

A mercenary specialist, a scholar on the subject, urged more caution, saying that "penalties are required yet incomplete for dealing with widespread use of contractors".

"This is a shadow economy and centered in Dubai, which is relatively sanction-proof," he stated. The United Arab Emirates has been frequently alleged of providing arms to the militia, claims it rejects. "This trend will probably continue," the expert cautioned.