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

Operation Structure

Revealing the restrictions on this week, the US Treasury Department stated the operation was primarily made up of Colombian citizens and firms.

Scores of retired Colombian troops have allegedly journeyed to Sudan to operate with the Sudanese RSF militia, a force linked to severe violations encompassing ethnically targeted slaughter and widespread kidnappings.

Discovery of Participation

The role of these mercenaries first came to light the previous year, prompted by an investigation which revealed that more than 300 retired troops had been recruited to participate in the war – an revelation that resulted in an unprecedented apology from Colombia’s foreign ministry.

These South American veterans have widely regarded as among the world’s most sought-after mercenaries due to their extensive battlefield experience gleaned from a long-running domestic war, training on advanced weaponry, and elite military instruction.

Activities in Sudan

In the Sudanese theater, the mercenaries have reportedly trained underage fighters, taught fighters to pilot drones, and fought directly on the frontlines. One source remarked that training children was "horrific and irrational" but noted that "unfortunately that’s how war is".

Named Entities

Among those penalized was a retired Colombian officer, a dual Colombian-Italian national and former army officer located in the United Arab Emirates. The US authorities alleged he played a key part in recruiting and deploying mercenaries to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Oliveros, was also sanctioned.

Also on the restricted list was Mateo Duque Botero, a dual national who authorities say managed a business implicated in managing finances and payments for the recruitment operation. "In 2024 and 2025, American entities associated with Duque carried out multiple financial transactions, amounting to millions," the government release noted.

Citizen of Colombia Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the final person to be penalized, with the entity she oversaw accused of financial transactions linked to Duque and his businesses.

"Washington reiterates its demand for foreign parties to stop giving monetary and weaponry aid to the warring parties," the Treasury said in a statement.

Analyst Commentary

An expert, with the International Crisis Group, labeled the measures as a "very significant" step, stating that "identifying the recruiters is the correct approach".

She added that, Bogotá recently passed a piece of legislation endorsing the global treaty against mercenarism, seeking to reduce decades of Colombian involvement in overseas wars and transform domestic defense strategy.

Sean McFate, a authority on private military contractors, urged more caution, noting that "restrictions are needed but not enough for combating the growing mercenary trade".

"It’s an illicit economy and centered in the UAE, which is largely insulated from sanctions," he commented. The Emirati government has been repeatedly implicated of providing arms to the militia, an accusation it has denied. "This trend will probably continue," McFate warned.