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The United States has levied restrictions on a operation of four people and four firms charged of hiring former Colombian soldiers to combat alongside and instruct a armed faction in Sudan the United States claims of genocidal acts.

Operation Structure

Announcing the measures on this week, the American treasury stated the operation was mostly comprised of Colombian citizens and firms.

Numerous of former Colombian military personnel have reportedly travelled to the Sudanese warzone to combat beside the Sudanese RSF militia, a force accused of severe violations encompassing targeted ethnic killings and widespread kidnappings.

Revelation of Role

The participation of ex-soldiers was first uncovered the previous year, after an investigation which disclosed that more than 300 former soldiers had been hired to engage in combat – an revelation that led to an rare mea culpa from officials in Bogotá.

Colombian ex-soldiers have historically been seen as some of the most in-demand contractors globally due to their considerable warzone knowledge acquired during years of internal conflict, knowledge of Nato equipment, and superior tactical education.

Role in the Conflict

In Sudan, the Colombians have reportedly trained minors, taught fighters to pilot drones, and engaged in frontline combat. One source remarked that working with child soldiers was "awful and crazy" but added that "unfortunately that’s how war is".

Targeted Persons

Among those penalized was a retired Colombian officer, a dual Colombian-Italian national and ex-soldier based in the United Arab Emirates. The Treasury alleged he played a central role in enlisting and transporting former Colombian soldiers to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Oliveros, was also sanctioned.

Also on the penalty list was Mateo Andrés Duque Botero, a dual national who authorities say managed a business implicated in handling funds and payroll for the network. "In 2024 and 2025, companies in the United States connected to Duque carried out numerous wire transfers, totalling millions of US dollars," the Treasury statement stated.

Citizen of Colombia Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the final person to be sanctioned, with the firm she operated accused of money transfers associated with Duque and his companies.

"The United States again calls on external actors to halt the flow of monetary and weaponry aid to the combatants," the Treasury stated.

Reaction

A senior analyst, from a conflict think tank, described the measures as a "highly important" step, noting that "identifying the recruiters is the correct approach".

Furthermore, Bogotá has enacted a piece of legislation ratifying the anti-mercenary convention, seeking to reduce years of participation by its nationals in foreign conflicts and reshape domestic defense strategy.

A mercenary specialist, a authority on private military contractors, called for greater wariness, noting that "restrictions are needed but not enough for dealing with widespread use of contractors".

"It’s an illicit economy and operating from Dubai, which is difficult to penalize," he stated. The Emirati government has been repeatedly implicated of arming the RSF, allegations it disputes. "More contractors from Colombia are likely," McFate warned.