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The US government has levied restrictions on a operation of four individuals and four companies charged of hiring former Colombian soldiers to support and educate a militia force in Sudan that Washington accuses of committing genocide.

Operation Structure

Disclosing the restrictions on Tuesday, the Treasury stated the operation was mostly comprised of Colombian citizens and firms.

Scores of retired Colombian troops have allegedly journeyed to the Sudanese warzone to operate with the Sudanese RSF militia, a force implicated in terrible atrocities such as targeted ethnic killings and mass abductions.

Emergence of Involvement

The participation of ex-soldiers was first uncovered last year, after an report which revealed that more than 300 former soldiers had been contracted to participate in the war – an revelation that prompted an unprecedented apology from the Colombian government.

These South American veterans have historically been seen as some of the most in-demand contractors globally 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 Sudan, the Colombians have allegedly instructed child soldiers, taught fighters to pilot drones, and fought directly on the frontlines. A mercenary previously stated that instructing minors was "awful and crazy" but added that "unfortunately that’s how war is".

Named Entities

Among those targeted was a retired Colombian officer, a dual Colombian-Italian national and former army officer based in the Dubai. The government said he had a pivotal function in hiring and sending mercenaries to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Oliveros, was also sanctioned.

Also on the sanctions list was Mateo Duque Botero, a dual national who officials alleged ran a firm linked to processing money and salaries for the network. "In 2024 and 2025, US-based firms linked to Duque conducted several money transfers, worth millions," the government release said.

Individual Mónica Muñoz was the final person to be targeted, with the firm she operated accused of financial transactions associated with Duque and his businesses.

"The US once more urges outside forces to stop giving financial and military support to the belligerents," the Treasury announced.

Analyst Commentary

Elizabeth Dickinson, from a conflict think tank, described the measures as a "highly important" step, noting that "calling out those who are doing the contracting is the proper strategy".

It was also noted that, Bogotá ratified a piece of legislation ratifying the International Convention Against the Recruitment and Use of Mercenaries, designed to limit its citizens' long history in overseas wars and change its security approach.

A mercenary specialist, a scholar on the subject, urged more caution, noting that "penalties are required yet incomplete for combating widespread use of contractors".

"It’s an illicit economy and operating from the UAE, which is difficult to penalize," he said. The Emirati government has been repeatedly implicated of supplying weapons to the paramilitary group, claims it rejects. "This trend will probably continue," McFate warned.