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The US government has levied restrictions on a network of several persons and entities charged of recruiting former Colombian soldiers to support and educate a Sudanese paramilitary group the United States claims of acts of genocide.

Network Composition

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

Hundreds of retired Colombian troops have been recruited to go to the conflict in Sudan to operate with the Sudanese RSF militia, a force accused of severe violations encompassing massacres based on ethnicity and mass abductions.

Discovery of Participation

The involvement of Colombian fighters first came to light in 2024, prompted by an investigation which found that over three hundred ex-military personnel had been contracted to fight – an revelation that resulted in an rare mea culpa from Colombia’s foreign ministry.

Colombian ex-soldiers have widely regarded as some of the most in-demand contractors globally due to their considerable warzone knowledge acquired during years of internal conflict, knowledge of advanced weaponry, and elite military instruction.

Role in the Conflict

In Sudan, the mercenaries have allegedly instructed child soldiers, taught fighters to pilot drones, and participated in direct battles. One source remarked that instructing minors was "terrible and insane" but added that "sadly, that is the nature of conflict".

Named Entities

Among those sanctioned was a dual national, a individual with dual citizenship and former army officer based in the UAE. The Treasury said he had a key part in hiring and sending mercenaries to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was penalized as well.

Also on the restricted list was Mateo Andrés Duque Botero, a dual national who officials alleged managed a business accused of managing finances and payments for the network. "In 2024 and 2025, US-based firms connected to Duque carried out several money transfers, worth millions," the Treasury statement said.

Colombian national Mónica Muñoz was the final person to be penalized, with the company she managed alleged to have money transfers associated with Duque and his businesses.

"The US once more urges foreign parties to stop giving financial and military support to the combatants," the agency announced.

Reaction

Elizabeth Dickinson, from a conflict think tank, labeled the sanctions as a "highly important" development, noting that "targeting the enablers is the right way to go".

Furthermore, Colombia ratified a piece of legislation endorsing the global treaty against mercenarism, aiming to curb decades of Colombian involvement in overseas wars and change domestic defense strategy.

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

"This is a shadow economy and based out of the Emirates, which is largely insulated from sanctions," he said. The United Arab Emirates has been frequently alleged of arming the RSF, an accusation it has denied. "Expect more Colombian mercenaries," the expert cautioned.