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The United States has enforced penalties on a operation of four people and four firms charged of hiring former Colombian soldiers to fight for and train a militia force in Sudan which the US alleges of committing genocide.

Group Makeup

Announcing the restrictions on this week, the US Treasury Department stated the scheme was primarily made up of individuals and businesses from Colombia.

Numerous of retired Colombian troops have allegedly journeyed to Sudan to operate with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a group accused of terrible atrocities such as ethnically targeted slaughter and large-scale abductions.

Emergence of Involvement

The participation of ex-soldiers initially emerged last year, after an investigation which found that over three hundred former soldiers had been recruited to engage in combat – an discovery that led to an unusual statement of regret from the Colombian government.

These South American veterans have long been considered as highly prized fighters in conflict zones due to their considerable warzone knowledge resulting from a long-running domestic war, familiarity with Nato equipment, and high-level combat training.

Reported Actions

In the conflict, the Colombians have been accused of teaching minors, provided drone warfare training, and participated in direct battles. A mercenary remarked that working with child soldiers was "horrific and irrational" but noted that "regrettably, war operates that way".

Sanctioned Individuals

Among those penalized was a retired Colombian officer, a dual Colombian-Italian national and ex-soldier based in the United Arab Emirates. The Treasury alleged he played a key part in recruiting and deploying ex-military personnel to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was penalized as well.

Also on the penalty list was Duque Botero, a dual national who authorities say oversaw a company linked to managing finances and payments for the recruitment operation. "In 2024 and 2025, US-based firms connected to Duque engaged in numerous wire transfers, worth millions," the government release stated.

Colombian national Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the other individual to be penalized, with the firm she operated accused of financial transactions linked to Duque and his operations.

"The United States again calls on external actors to stop giving funding and arms to the warring parties," the Treasury announced.

Reaction

An expert, senior analyst at the International Crisis Group, described the sanctions as a "highly important" step, stating that "identifying the recruiters is the right way to go".

Furthermore, Colombia has enacted a piece of legislation endorsing the anti-mercenary convention, seeking to reduce decades of Colombian involvement in overseas wars and transform national security policy.

Another expert, a scholar on the subject, urged more caution, saying that "penalties are required yet incomplete for addressing the growing mercenary trade".

"It’s an illicit economy and operating from the UAE, which is difficult to penalize," he commented. The Emirati government has been widely accused of supplying weapons to the paramilitary group, an accusation it has denied. "More contractors from Colombia are likely," the expert cautioned.