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The Washington has levied restrictions on a group of four individuals and four companies charged of enlisting former Colombian soldiers to fight for and train a militia force in Sudan that Washington accuses of committing genocide.

Operation Structure

Revealing the sanctions on this week, the Treasury stated the network was largely composed of Colombian nationals and companies.

Scores of former Colombian military personnel have reportedly travelled to Sudan to operate with the RSF paramilitary group, a group accused of severe violations including ethnically targeted slaughter and mass abductions.

Revelation of Role

The role of these mercenaries first came to light in 2024, prompted by an report which found that more than 300 ex-military personnel had been contracted to fight – an event that led to an unprecedented apology from the Colombian government.

These South American veterans have widely regarded as highly prized fighters in conflict zones due to their extensive battlefield experience gleaned from years of internal conflict, training on Western military gear, and elite military instruction.

Activities in Sudan

In the Sudanese theater, the Colombians have reportedly trained underage fighters, provided drone warfare training, and participated in direct battles. One source remarked that instructing minors was "horrific and irrational" but noted that "regrettably, war operates that way".

Targeted Persons

Among those sanctioned was a retired Colombian officer, a citizen of both Colombia and Italy and retired Colombian military officer operating from the United Arab Emirates. The government accused him a key part in recruiting and deploying mercenaries to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Oliveros, was similarly targeted.

Also on the sanctions list was Duque Botero, a dual Colombian-Spanish citizen who officials alleged oversaw a company accused of processing money and salaries for the recruitment operation. "In 2024 and 2025, US-based firms associated with Duque engaged in numerous wire transfers, amounting to millions," the government release noted.

Citizen of Colombia Mónica Muñoz was the other individual to be targeted, with the entity she oversaw alleged to have financial transactions linked to Duque and his companies.

"Washington reiterates its demand for external actors to cease providing funding and arms to the belligerents," the agency announced.

Analyst Commentary

A senior analyst, senior analyst at the International Crisis Group, labeled the actions as a "very significant" development, saying that "targeting the enablers is the right way to go".

Furthermore, Colombia ratified a law ratifying the anti-mercenary convention, designed to limit decades of Colombian involvement in overseas wars and reshape domestic defense strategy.

A mercenary specialist, a authority on private military contractors, advised additional measures, stating that "penalties are required yet incomplete for combating rampant mercenarism".

"It operates in the black market and centered in the Emirates, which is relatively sanction-proof," he said. 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.