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The US government has levied restrictions on a network of several persons and entities charged of hiring former Colombian soldiers to support and educate a militia force in Sudan the United States claims of acts of genocide.

Network Composition

Announcing the restrictions on this week, the US Treasury Department stated the operation was largely composed of individuals and businesses from Colombia.

Hundreds of retired Colombian troops have reportedly travelled to Sudan to operate with the Sudanese RSF militia, a force implicated in severe violations encompassing targeted ethnic killings and widespread kidnappings.

Revelation of Role

The involvement of Colombian fighters was first uncovered last year, prompted by an inquiry which revealed that hundreds of ex-military personnel had been hired to fight – an event that prompted an rare mea culpa from the Colombian government.

These South American veterans have historically been seen as highly prized fighters in conflict zones due to their extensive battlefield experience resulting from years of internal conflict, training on advanced weaponry, and high-level combat training.

Activities in Sudan

In the Sudanese theater, the Colombians have reportedly trained underage fighters, taught fighters to pilot drones, and participated in direct battles. A mercenary was quoted as saying that working with child soldiers was "awful and crazy" but commented that "regrettably, war operates that way".

Targeted Persons

Among those sanctioned was a dual national, a individual with dual citizenship and retired Colombian military officer located in the Dubai. The US authorities accused him a pivotal function in recruiting and deploying mercenaries to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was similarly targeted.

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

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

"The United States again calls on foreign parties to halt the flow of funding and arms to the combatants," the department announced.

Analyst Commentary

Elizabeth Dickinson, senior analyst at the International Crisis Group, labeled the actions as a "very significant" development, 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 anti-mercenary convention, seeking to reduce decades of Colombian involvement in overseas wars and reshape domestic defense strategy.

Sean McFate, an expert on mercenaries, advised additional measures, saying that "sanctions are necessary but insufficient for addressing widespread use of contractors".

"It’s an illicit economy and operating from the Emirates, which is largely insulated from sanctions," he stated. The UAE has been widely accused of supplying weapons to the paramilitary group, claims it rejects. "This trend will probably continue," the expert cautioned.