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The US government has imposed sanctions on a operation of four people and four firms alleged of enlisting Colombian mercenaries to support and educate a militia force in Sudan that Washington accuses of acts of genocide.

Group Makeup

Revealing the restrictions on this week, the American treasury stated the operation was primarily made up of Colombian nationals and companies.

Numerous of ex-soldiers from Colombia have allegedly journeyed to Sudan to combat beside the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a force implicated in severe violations such as ethnically targeted slaughter and widespread kidnappings.

Revelation of Role

The involvement of Colombian fighters initially emerged the previous year, following an inquiry which revealed that over three hundred retired troops had been hired to participate in the war – an revelation that prompted an unusual statement of regret from Colombia’s foreign ministry.

Former Colombian military have long been considered as highly prized fighters in conflict zones due to their extensive battlefield experience acquired during years of internal conflict, training on Western military gear, and superior tactical education.

Reported Actions

In the Sudanese theater, the Colombians have been accused of teaching underage fighters, taught fighters to pilot drones, and engaged in frontline combat. An individual involved was quoted as saying that instructing minors was "horrific and irrational" but noted that "unfortunately that’s how war is".

Named Entities

Among those sanctioned was a dual national, a individual with dual citizenship and ex-soldier based in the United Arab Emirates. The US authorities alleged he played a central role in enlisting and transporting former Colombian soldiers to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Oliveros, was similarly targeted.

Also on the penalty list was Mateo Duque Botero, a dual Colombian-Spanish citizen who officials alleged managed a business linked to managing finances and payments for the recruitment operation. "In 2024 and 2025, US-based firms linked to Duque engaged in multiple financial transactions, totalling millions of US dollars," the official announcement stated.

Citizen of Colombia Mónica Muñoz was the final person to be targeted, with the firm she operated said to have conducted wire transfers associated with Duque and his companies.

"Washington reiterates its demand for foreign parties to halt the flow of funding and arms to the belligerents," the agency said in a statement.

Reaction

An expert, from a conflict think tank, labeled the actions as a "very significant" development, saying that "identifying the recruiters is the proper strategy".

She added that, Colombia has enacted a law approving the global treaty against mercenarism, designed to limit decades of Colombian involvement in international fights and change domestic defense strategy.

Sean McFate, a scholar on the subject, urged more caution, saying that "sanctions are necessary but insufficient for dealing with the growing mercenary trade".

"This is a shadow economy and operating from Dubai, which is largely insulated from sanctions," he said. The United Arab Emirates has been frequently alleged of providing arms to the militia, an accusation it has denied. "Expect more Colombian mercenaries," he advised.