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The United States 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.

Network Composition

Revealing the restrictions on this week, the American treasury stated the scheme was primarily made up of individuals and businesses from Colombia.

Scores of ex-soldiers from Colombia have allegedly journeyed to the Sudanese warzone to combat beside the Sudanese RSF militia, a faction accused of horrific war crimes including ethnically targeted slaughter and large-scale abductions.

Emergence of Involvement

The participation of ex-soldiers first came to light in 2024, prompted by an report which found that over three hundred ex-military personnel had been recruited to engage in combat – an discovery that resulted in an rare mea culpa from officials in Bogotá.

Colombian ex-soldiers have historically been seen as highly prized fighters in conflict zones due to their considerable warzone knowledge acquired during a long-running domestic war, training on Western military gear, and elite military instruction.

Role in the Conflict

In the Sudanese theater, the contractors have allegedly instructed underage fighters, provided drone warfare training, and engaged in frontline combat. A mercenary previously stated that training children was "terrible and insane" but commented that "regrettably, war operates that way".

Sanctioned Individuals

Among those sanctioned was a dual national, a individual with dual citizenship and retired Colombian military officer based in the Dubai. The Treasury said he had a central role in recruiting and deploying mercenaries to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Oliveros, was similarly targeted.

Also on the penalty list was Duque Botero, a dual national who officials alleged managed a business implicated in handling funds and payroll for the scheme. "In 2024 and 2025, American entities linked to Duque engaged in several money transfers, totalling millions of US dollars," the official announcement said.

Individual Mónica Muñoz was the final person to be sanctioned, with the firm she operated alleged to have financial transactions linked to Duque and his companies.

"The US once more urges external actors to stop giving financial and military support to the combatants," the Treasury announced.

Reaction

Elizabeth Dickinson, from a conflict think tank, called the sanctions as a "major" milestone, stating that "identifying the recruiters is the right way to go".

She added that, Colombia recently passed a piece of legislation ratifying the anti-mercenary convention, seeking to reduce its citizens' long history in international fights and transform national security policy.

Sean McFate, a authority on private military contractors, urged more caution, stating that "restrictions are needed but not enough for addressing the growing mercenary trade".

"It’s an illicit economy and operating from the UAE, which is largely insulated from sanctions," he stated. The UAE has been widely accused of providing arms to the militia, allegations it disputes. "This trend will probably continue," McFate warned.