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The US government has levied restrictions on a network of several persons and entities charged of hiring Colombian mercenaries to fight for and train a armed faction in Sudan the United States claims of committing genocide.

Group Makeup

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

Numerous of retired Colombian troops have allegedly journeyed to the Sudanese warzone to operate with the RSF paramilitary group, a force implicated in severe violations encompassing targeted ethnic killings and mass abductions.

Discovery of Participation

The participation of ex-soldiers first came to light last year, prompted by an report which revealed that more than 300 former soldiers had been recruited to participate in the war – an discovery that resulted in an rare mea culpa from Colombia’s foreign ministry.

Former Colombian military have historically been seen as among the world’s most sought-after mercenaries due to their extensive battlefield experience gleaned from years of internal conflict, training on Nato equipment, and elite military instruction.

Activities in Sudan

In the Sudanese theater, the contractors have reportedly trained underage fighters, instructed militiamen in drone operation, and fought directly on the frontlines. One source remarked that training children was "terrible and insane" but noted that "regrettably, war operates that way".

Sanctioned Individuals

Among those sanctioned was a retired Colombian officer, a citizen of both Colombia and Italy and retired Colombian military officer located in the United Arab Emirates. The US authorities alleged he played a central role in recruiting and deploying mercenaries to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was penalized as well.

Also on the restricted list was Duque Botero, a dual national who the Treasury stated managed a business linked to managing finances and payments for the scheme. "In 2024 and 2025, American entities associated with Duque conducted numerous wire transfers, worth millions," the government release said.

Colombian national Mónica Muñoz was the fourth individual to be sanctioned, with the entity she oversaw accused of wire transfers connected to Duque and his operations.

"Washington reiterates its demand for external actors to cease providing monetary and weaponry aid to the belligerents," the agency announced.

Expert Analysis

Elizabeth Dickinson, with the International Crisis Group, called the actions as a "very significant" milestone, noting that "calling out those who are doing the contracting is the proper strategy".

It was also noted that, Bogotá has enacted a law approving the International Convention Against the Recruitment and Use of Mercenaries, designed to limit decades of Colombian involvement in overseas wars and reshape its security approach.

A mercenary specialist, an expert on mercenaries, advised additional measures, noting that "restrictions are needed but not enough for dealing with widespread use of contractors".

"It operates in the black market and operating from the Emirates, which is difficult to penalize," he said. The UAE has been frequently alleged of supplying weapons to the paramilitary group, an accusation it has denied. "This trend will probably continue," he advised.