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The US government has levied restrictions on a group of four people and four firms charged of hiring former Colombian soldiers to combat alongside and instruct a militia force in Sudan that Washington accuses of committing genocide.

Operation Structure

Announcing the measures on Tuesday, the American treasury stated the operation was primarily made up of Colombian nationals and companies.

Hundreds of former Colombian military personnel have allegedly journeyed to the conflict in Sudan to fight alongside the RSF paramilitary group, a force accused of terrible atrocities including massacres based on ethnicity and mass abductions.

Emergence of Involvement

The involvement of Colombian fighters first came to light last year, after an inquiry which revealed that over three hundred ex-military personnel had been contracted to engage in combat – an discovery that prompted an unusual statement of regret from officials in Bogotá.

Former Colombian military have historically been seen as highly prized fighters in conflict zones due to their considerable warzone knowledge resulting from decades of civil war, familiarity with Nato equipment, and superior tactical education.

Reported Actions

In the conflict, the mercenaries have allegedly instructed child soldiers, taught fighters to pilot drones, and engaged in frontline combat. An individual involved was quoted as saying that working with child soldiers was "awful and crazy" but noted that "sadly, that is the nature of conflict".

Sanctioned Individuals

Among those penalized was a retired Colombian officer, a citizen of both Colombia and Italy and ex-soldier based in the United Arab Emirates. The government alleged he played a key part in recruiting and deploying former Colombian soldiers to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was also sanctioned.

Also on the penalty list was Duque Botero, a dual national who the Treasury stated oversaw a company linked to handling funds and payroll for the recruitment operation. "In 2024 and 2025, companies in the United States connected to Duque carried out several money transfers, amounting to millions," the Treasury statement noted.

Individual Mónica Muñoz was the other individual to be sanctioned, with the firm she operated said to have conducted financial transactions associated with Duque and his operations.

"The US once more urges outside forces to stop giving monetary and weaponry aid to the combatants," the agency said in a statement.

Expert Analysis

Elizabeth Dickinson, from a conflict think tank, called the actions as a "very significant" milestone, noting that "identifying the recruiters is the proper strategy".

It was also noted that, Bogotá has enacted a statute endorsing the anti-mercenary convention, aiming to curb its citizens' long history in overseas wars and reshape its security approach.

Another expert, an expert on mercenaries, called for greater wariness, stating that "penalties are required yet incomplete for dealing with rampant mercenarism".

"It’s an illicit economy and centered in the Emirates, which is largely insulated from sanctions," he stated. The Emirati government has been frequently alleged of providing arms to the militia, allegations it disputes. "More contractors from Colombia are likely," the expert cautioned.