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The United States has levied restrictions on a group of four individuals and four companies alleged of enlisting former Colombian soldiers to combat alongside and instruct a militia force in Sudan that Washington accuses of committing genocide.

Group Makeup

Revealing the sanctions on this week, the Treasury stated the operation was primarily made up of individuals and businesses from Colombia.

Scores of ex-soldiers from Colombia have been recruited to go to the conflict in Sudan to operate with the RSF paramilitary group, a faction linked to horrific war crimes including massacres based on ethnicity and widespread kidnappings.

Revelation of Role

The involvement of Colombian fighters was first uncovered in 2024, following an report which disclosed that over three hundred retired troops had been recruited to engage in combat – an discovery that resulted in an unusual statement of regret from Colombia’s foreign ministry.

These South American veterans have long been considered as highly prized fighters in conflict zones due to their vast combat experience acquired during decades of civil war, training on Western military gear, and elite military instruction.

Activities in Sudan

In the conflict, the contractors have allegedly instructed underage fighters, instructed militiamen in drone operation, and participated in direct battles. One source was quoted as saying that working with child soldiers was "awful and crazy" but added that "regrettably, war operates that way".

Sanctioned Individuals

Among those targeted was a retired Colombian officer, a individual with dual citizenship and ex-soldier operating from the United Arab Emirates. The government accused him a central role in recruiting and deploying former Colombian soldiers to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Oliveros, was also sanctioned.

Also on the penalty list was Duque Botero, a dual national who officials alleged managed a business accused of managing finances and payments for the network. "Over the past two years, US-based firms associated with Duque engaged in numerous wire transfers, worth millions," the official announcement stated.

Citizen of Colombia Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the other individual to be sanctioned, with the entity she oversaw said to have conducted money transfers connected to Duque and his companies.

"The US once more urges external actors to halt the flow of funding and arms to the warring parties," the department said in a statement.

Expert Analysis

An expert, senior analyst at the International Crisis Group, called the measures as a "highly important" milestone, saying that "calling out those who are doing the contracting is the proper strategy".

She added that, Colombia has enacted a law approving the International Convention Against the Recruitment and Use of Mercenaries, designed to limit years of participation by its nationals in foreign conflicts and reshape national security policy.

A mercenary specialist, a authority on private military contractors, advised additional measures, saying that "sanctions are necessary but insufficient for dealing with widespread use of contractors".

"It’s an illicit economy and based out of the Emirates, which is largely insulated from sanctions," he said. The Emirati government has been widely accused of arming the RSF, allegations it disputes. "More contractors from Colombia are likely," the expert cautioned.