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The Washington has imposed sanctions on a operation of four individuals and four companies accused of hiring Colombian mercenaries to fight for and train a armed faction in Sudan the United States claims of acts of genocide.

Group Makeup

Announcing the measures on this week, the Treasury stated the operation was mostly comprised of Colombian nationals and companies.

Scores of retired Colombian troops have allegedly journeyed to the Sudanese warzone to combat beside the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a group implicated in horrific war crimes such as ethnically targeted slaughter and widespread kidnappings.

Discovery of Participation

The role of these mercenaries initially emerged the previous year, prompted by an inquiry which disclosed that hundreds of former soldiers had been recruited to fight – an discovery that led to an rare mea culpa from officials in Bogotá.

These South American veterans have widely regarded as some of the most in-demand contractors globally due to their extensive battlefield experience acquired during decades of civil war, familiarity with Western military gear, and superior tactical education.

Role in the Conflict

In the Sudanese theater, the mercenaries have reportedly trained underage fighters, taught fighters to pilot drones, and engaged in frontline combat. One source previously stated that instructing minors was "terrible and insane" but noted that "unfortunately that’s how war is".

Targeted Persons

Among those targeted was a dual national, a citizen of both Colombia and Italy and retired Colombian military officer located in the Dubai. The Treasury said he had a pivotal function in recruiting and deploying former Colombian soldiers to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Oliveros, was similarly targeted.

Also on the sanctions list was Duque Botero, a individual with Colombian and Spanish citizenship who authorities say oversaw a company linked to processing money and salaries for the scheme. "In 2024 and 2025, American entities linked to Duque conducted multiple financial transactions, worth millions," the Treasury statement said.

Citizen of Colombia Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the other individual to be penalized, with the entity she oversaw alleged to have money transfers connected to Duque and his companies.

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

Expert Analysis

A senior analyst, from a conflict think tank, labeled the measures as a "very significant" milestone, saying that "identifying the recruiters is the correct approach".

She added that, Colombia recently passed a law endorsing the global treaty against mercenarism, seeking to reduce decades of Colombian involvement in overseas wars and reshape its security approach.

Another expert, a scholar on the subject, urged more caution, stating that "restrictions are needed but not enough for combating the growing mercenary trade".

"It operates in the black market and operating from the UAE, which is largely insulated from sanctions," he said. The United Arab Emirates has been repeatedly implicated of providing arms to the militia, allegations it disputes. "Expect more Colombian mercenaries," he advised.