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The US government has enforced penalties on a group of four individuals and four companies charged of hiring Colombian mercenaries to combat alongside and instruct a militia force in Sudan which the US alleges of genocidal acts.

Group Makeup

Announcing the sanctions on Tuesday, the American treasury stated the network was mostly comprised of Colombian citizens and firms.

Scores of retired Colombian troops have allegedly journeyed to the conflict in Sudan to fight alongside the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a force linked to severe violations encompassing massacres based on ethnicity and widespread kidnappings.

Discovery of Participation

The participation of ex-soldiers was first uncovered in 2024, after an inquiry which revealed that hundreds of former soldiers had been hired to fight – an revelation that prompted an unusual statement of regret from the Colombian government.

These South American veterans have widely regarded as highly prized fighters in conflict zones due to their vast combat experience acquired during years of internal conflict, knowledge of advanced weaponry, and superior tactical education.

Activities in Sudan

In the Sudanese theater, the Colombians have been accused of teaching minors, taught fighters to pilot drones, and fought directly on the frontlines. An individual involved remarked that working with child soldiers was "terrible and insane" but noted that "sadly, that is the nature of conflict".

Named Entities

Among those targeted was a dual national, a citizen of both Colombia and Italy and ex-soldier located in the Dubai. The government accused him a central role in enlisting and transporting former Colombian soldiers to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Oliveros, was similarly targeted.

Also on the restricted list was Mateo Duque Botero, a dual Colombian-Spanish citizen who the Treasury stated oversaw a company implicated in processing money and salaries for the recruitment operation. "In 2024 and 2025, companies in the United States connected to Duque conducted numerous wire transfers, worth millions," the government release said.

Colombian national Mónica Muñoz was the other individual to be sanctioned, with the company she managed said to have conducted financial transactions associated with Duque and his companies.

"The US once more urges outside forces to cease providing financial and military support to the belligerents," the Treasury said in a statement.

Reaction

Elizabeth Dickinson, from a conflict think tank, called the actions as a "major" milestone, saying that "targeting the enablers is the right way to go".

Furthermore, the Colombian government recently passed a law ratifying the global treaty against mercenarism, seeking to reduce decades of Colombian involvement in foreign conflicts and change its security approach.

Sean McFate, a authority on private military contractors, urged more caution, noting that "restrictions are needed but not enough for dealing with the growing mercenary trade".

"This is a shadow economy and centered in Dubai, which is difficult to penalize," he commented. The United Arab Emirates has been frequently alleged of supplying weapons to the paramilitary group, claims it rejects. "More contractors from Colombia are likely," he advised.