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The US government has levied restrictions on a group of four individuals and four companies accused of recruiting former Colombian soldiers to support and educate a militia force in Sudan which the US alleges of committing genocide.

Network Composition

Revealing the restrictions on Tuesday, the Treasury stated the network was largely composed of Colombian nationals and companies.

Numerous of retired Colombian troops have been recruited to go to the conflict in Sudan to operate with the Sudanese RSF militia, a force implicated in severe violations such as ethnically targeted slaughter and large-scale abductions.

Emergence of Involvement

The involvement of Colombian fighters first came to light in 2024, prompted by an report which revealed that over three hundred retired troops had been contracted to engage in combat – an discovery that resulted in an unprecedented apology from officials in Bogotá.

Colombian ex-soldiers have historically been seen as among the world’s most sought-after mercenaries due to their vast combat experience gleaned from decades of civil war, familiarity with Nato equipment, and elite military instruction.

Activities in Sudan

In the conflict, the mercenaries have been accused of teaching minors, taught fighters to pilot drones, and participated in direct battles. One source remarked that working with child soldiers was "terrible and insane" but added that "regrettably, war operates that way".

Sanctioned Individuals

Among those targeted was a dual national, a individual with dual citizenship and former army officer based in the United Arab Emirates. The US authorities alleged he played a pivotal function in enlisting and transporting former Colombian soldiers to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Oliveros, was penalized as well.

Also on the sanctions list was Duque Botero, a individual with Colombian and Spanish citizenship who officials alleged managed a business implicated in processing money and salaries for the recruitment operation. "In 2024 and 2025, American entities connected to Duque conducted multiple financial transactions, amounting to millions," the Treasury statement said.

Citizen of Colombia Mónica Muñoz was the fourth individual to be sanctioned, with the entity she oversaw accused of money transfers linked to Duque and his companies.

"Washington reiterates its demand for external actors to cease providing funding and arms to the combatants," the department said in a statement.

Expert Analysis

Elizabeth Dickinson, from a conflict think tank, called the measures as a "very significant" development, saying that "targeting the enablers is the proper strategy".

It was also noted that, Colombia recently passed a statute endorsing the anti-mercenary convention, designed to limit decades of Colombian involvement in foreign conflicts and change its security approach.

Sean McFate, a scholar on the subject, urged more caution, noting that "sanctions are necessary but insufficient for dealing with the growing mercenary trade".

"It operates in the black market and operating from Dubai, which is largely insulated from sanctions," he stated. The UAE has been frequently alleged of supplying weapons to the paramilitary group, allegations it disputes. "This trend will probably continue," he advised.