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The US government has enforced penalties on a network of four individuals and four companies alleged of recruiting former Colombian soldiers to fight for and train a Sudanese paramilitary group which the US alleges of acts of genocide.

Group Makeup

Revealing the measures on Tuesday, the Treasury stated the operation was largely composed of individuals and businesses from Colombia.

Scores of former Colombian military personnel have allegedly journeyed to the conflict in Sudan to operate with the RSF paramilitary group, a group implicated in horrific war crimes encompassing targeted ethnic killings and mass abductions.

Emergence of Involvement

The role of these mercenaries first came to light last year, following an investigation which disclosed that over three hundred former soldiers had been contracted to fight – an event that prompted an unusual statement of regret from officials in Bogotá.

Colombian ex-soldiers have historically been seen as some of the most in-demand contractors globally due to their vast combat experience acquired during years of internal conflict, familiarity with Nato equipment, and elite military instruction.

Role in the Conflict

In Sudan, the contractors have allegedly instructed child soldiers, taught fighters to pilot drones, and fought directly on the frontlines. One source was quoted as saying that instructing minors was "horrific and irrational" but commented that "regrettably, war operates that way".

Targeted Persons

Among those sanctioned was a retired Colombian officer, a citizen of both Colombia and Italy and ex-soldier based in the Dubai. The US authorities said he had a central role in recruiting and deploying mercenaries to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Oliveros, was penalized as well.

Also on the restricted list was Duque Botero, a dual national who officials alleged managed a business implicated in processing money and salaries for the network. "In 2024 and 2025, US-based firms connected to Duque engaged in numerous wire transfers, amounting to millions," the Treasury statement stated.

Colombian national Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the other individual to be sanctioned, with the company she managed accused of money transfers linked to Duque and his operations.

"The US once more urges outside forces to halt the flow of financial and military support to the warring parties," the Treasury stated.

Reaction

Elizabeth Dickinson, senior analyst at the International Crisis Group, labeled the actions as a "highly important" milestone, stating that "targeting the enablers is the right way to go".

It was also noted that, Colombia has enacted a law ratifying the anti-mercenary convention, designed to limit its citizens' long history in foreign conflicts and reshape national security policy.

Another expert, an expert on mercenaries, advised additional measures, stating that "restrictions are needed but not enough for dealing with the growing mercenary trade".

"It operates in the black market and based out of the UAE, which is relatively sanction-proof," he said. The UAE has been repeatedly implicated of providing arms to the militia, claims it rejects. "More contractors from Colombia are likely," the expert cautioned.