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The US government has enforced penalties on a operation of four individuals and four companies charged of hiring former Colombian soldiers to fight for and train a Sudanese paramilitary group that Washington accuses of acts of genocide.

Operation Structure

Revealing the sanctions on this week, the Treasury stated the scheme was largely composed of Colombian nationals and companies.

Numerous of retired Colombian troops have been recruited to go to the Sudanese warzone to fight alongside the RSF paramilitary group, a faction implicated in terrible atrocities including ethnically targeted slaughter and widespread kidnappings.

Emergence of Involvement

The role of these mercenaries first came to light in 2024, prompted by an report which revealed that over three hundred ex-military personnel had been contracted to participate in the war – an event that prompted an unusual statement of regret from the Colombian government.

Colombian ex-soldiers have long been considered as highly prized fighters in conflict zones due to their vast combat experience acquired during years of internal conflict, training on advanced weaponry, and superior tactical education.

Role in the Conflict

In the Sudanese theater, the contractors have been accused of teaching minors, instructed militiamen in drone operation, and participated in direct battles. A mercenary was quoted as saying that training children was "horrific and irrational" but commented that "unfortunately that’s how war is".

Sanctioned Individuals

Among those sanctioned was a retired Colombian officer, a dual Colombian-Italian national and retired Colombian military officer based in the Dubai. The US authorities alleged he played a pivotal function in enlisting and transporting ex-military personnel to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Oliveros, was penalized as well.

Also on the restricted list was Duque Botero, a individual with Colombian and Spanish citizenship who officials alleged oversaw a company accused of managing finances and payments for the scheme. "In 2024 and 2025, companies in the United States associated with Duque conducted multiple financial transactions, amounting to millions," the Treasury statement said.

Colombian national Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the final person to be targeted, with the entity she oversaw accused of wire transfers connected to Duque and his businesses.

"Washington reiterates its demand for outside forces to cease providing financial and military support to the warring parties," the Treasury said in a statement.

Analyst Commentary

A senior analyst, senior analyst at the International Crisis Group, called the actions as a "major" development, noting that "calling out those who are doing the contracting is the proper strategy".

Furthermore, Bogotá ratified a statute ratifying the anti-mercenary convention, seeking to reduce decades of Colombian involvement in overseas wars and change its security approach.

Sean McFate, an expert on mercenaries, advised additional measures, noting that "penalties are required yet incomplete for dealing with rampant mercenarism".

"It’s an illicit economy and operating from Dubai, which is relatively sanction-proof," he stated. The UAE has been frequently alleged of providing arms to the militia, claims it rejects. "Expect more Colombian mercenaries," he advised.