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The United States has levied restrictions on a network of several persons and entities accused of recruiting former Colombian soldiers to support and educate a Sudanese paramilitary group that Washington accuses of committing genocide.

Operation Structure

Disclosing the restrictions on Tuesday, the Treasury stated the scheme was primarily made up of Colombian citizens and firms.

Hundreds of ex-soldiers from Colombia have allegedly journeyed to the conflict in Sudan to fight alongside the RSF paramilitary group, a force implicated in terrible atrocities including ethnically targeted slaughter and large-scale abductions.

Discovery of Participation

The participation of ex-soldiers first came to light the previous year, prompted by an investigation which revealed that more than 300 former soldiers had been contracted to engage in combat – an event that resulted in an unprecedented apology from the Colombian government.

These South American veterans have historically been seen as highly prized fighters in conflict zones due to their vast combat experience gleaned from years of internal conflict, familiarity with Western military gear, and superior tactical education.

Role in the Conflict

In the Sudanese theater, the mercenaries have been accused of teaching child soldiers, instructed militiamen in drone operation, and engaged in frontline combat. An individual involved was quoted as saying that working with child soldiers was "awful and crazy" but noted that "unfortunately that’s how war is".

Named Entities

Among those targeted was a retired Colombian officer, a citizen of both Colombia and Italy and ex-soldier located in the United Arab Emirates. The Treasury said he had a key part in enlisting and transporting former Colombian soldiers to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Oliveros, was penalized as well.

Also on the penalty list was Mateo Andrés Duque Botero, a dual Colombian-Spanish citizen who authorities say oversaw a company linked to processing money and salaries for the recruitment operation. "In 2024 and 2025, American entities linked to Duque carried out numerous wire transfers, worth millions," the official announcement stated.

Individual Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the final person to be penalized, with the firm she operated alleged to have financial transactions associated with Duque and his operations.

"Washington reiterates its demand for external actors to cease providing financial and military support to the combatants," the Treasury stated.

Analyst Commentary

Elizabeth Dickinson, senior analyst at the International Crisis Group, described the measures as a "very significant" development, saying that "calling out those who are doing the contracting is the proper strategy".

It was also noted that, Colombia ratified a piece of legislation endorsing the International Convention Against the Recruitment and Use of Mercenaries, aiming to curb decades of Colombian involvement in foreign conflicts and reshape its security approach.

Sean McFate, an expert on mercenaries, urged more caution, saying that "sanctions are necessary but insufficient for addressing rampant mercenarism".

"This is a shadow economy and operating from the UAE, which is relatively sanction-proof," he said. The UAE has been frequently alleged of arming the RSF, an accusation it has denied. "More contractors from Colombia are likely," McFate warned.