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The United States has imposed sanctions on a operation of four individuals and four companies charged of hiring former Colombian soldiers to support and educate a Sudanese paramilitary group the United States claims of genocidal acts.

Operation Structure

Disclosing the measures on this week, the American treasury stated the network was largely composed of Colombian citizens and firms.

Scores of retired Colombian troops have been recruited to go to Sudan to operate with the Sudanese RSF militia, a faction linked to horrific war crimes encompassing targeted ethnic killings and widespread kidnappings.

Discovery of Participation

The participation of ex-soldiers initially emerged in 2024, following an inquiry which disclosed that over three hundred retired troops had been hired to participate in the war – an event that resulted in an unusual statement of regret from Colombia’s foreign ministry.

Former Colombian military have long been considered as some of the most in-demand contractors globally due to their vast combat experience acquired during a long-running domestic war, training on advanced weaponry, 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 "horrific and irrational" but added that "sadly, that is the nature of conflict".

Named Entities

Among those penalized was a dual national, a citizen of both Colombia and Italy and ex-soldier located in the Dubai. The US authorities said he had a pivotal function in enlisting and transporting mercenaries to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was also sanctioned.

Also on the restricted list was Duque Botero, a dual Colombian-Spanish citizen who authorities say oversaw a company accused of processing money and salaries for the network. "In 2024 and 2025, companies in the United States linked to Duque carried out numerous wire transfers, amounting to millions," the Treasury statement stated.

Individual Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the other individual to be penalized, with the entity she oversaw alleged to have wire transfers connected to Duque and his operations.

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

Analyst Commentary

A senior analyst, with the International Crisis Group, called the actions as a "major" step, saying that "calling out those who are doing the contracting is the right way to go".

She added that, Bogotá has enacted a law approving the International Convention Against the Recruitment and Use of Mercenaries, aiming to curb years of participation by its nationals in international fights and reshape national security policy.

Sean McFate, an expert on mercenaries, advised additional measures, stating that "penalties are required yet incomplete for addressing widespread use of contractors".

"This is a shadow economy and based out of the UAE, which is largely insulated from sanctions," he commented. The Emirati government has been repeatedly implicated of providing arms to the militia, allegations it disputes. "More contractors from Colombia are likely," the expert cautioned.