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The Washington has levied restrictions on a group of several persons and entities charged of hiring former Colombian soldiers to fight for and train a armed faction in Sudan the United States claims of genocidal acts.

Group Makeup

Announcing the restrictions on Tuesday, the Treasury stated the scheme was mostly comprised of Colombian nationals and companies.

Hundreds of former Colombian military personnel have reportedly travelled to the Sudanese warzone to operate with the RSF paramilitary group, a force implicated in horrific war crimes such as targeted ethnic killings and mass abductions.

Discovery of Participation

The participation of ex-soldiers first came to light the previous year, prompted by an investigation which disclosed that over three hundred retired troops had been contracted to engage in combat – an event that resulted in an rare mea culpa from the Colombian government.

Former Colombian military have historically been seen as some of the most in-demand contractors globally due to their vast combat experience gleaned from decades of civil war, knowledge of Nato equipment, and high-level combat training.

Reported Actions

In the conflict, the contractors have allegedly instructed underage fighters, instructed militiamen in drone operation, and fought directly on the frontlines. One source was quoted as saying that working with child soldiers was "terrible and insane" but added that "regrettably, war operates that way".

Targeted Persons

Among those penalized was a retired Colombian officer, a citizen of both Colombia and Italy and retired Colombian military officer based in the Dubai. The US authorities alleged he played a pivotal function in enlisting and transporting former Colombian soldiers to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was also sanctioned.

Also on the restricted list was Mateo Duque Botero, a dual Colombian-Spanish citizen who the Treasury stated ran a firm accused of processing money and salaries for the scheme. "In 2024 and 2025, companies in the United States associated with Duque carried out multiple financial transactions, worth millions," the official announcement noted.

Colombian national Mónica Muñoz was the fourth individual to be targeted, with the entity she oversaw accused of financial transactions linked to Duque and his companies.

"The US once more urges external actors to stop giving monetary and weaponry aid to the combatants," the Treasury stated.

Reaction

Elizabeth Dickinson, from a conflict think tank, described the sanctions as a "highly important" step, stating that "targeting the enablers is the proper strategy".

She added that, Colombia ratified a law ratifying the International Convention Against the Recruitment and Use of Mercenaries, seeking to reduce its citizens' long history in overseas wars and transform domestic defense strategy.

Another expert, a authority on private military contractors, called for greater wariness, stating that "sanctions are necessary but insufficient for combating the growing mercenary trade".

"This is a shadow economy and centered in the Emirates, which is largely insulated from sanctions," he commented. The UAE has been frequently alleged of supplying weapons to the paramilitary group, an accusation it has denied. "This trend will probably continue," the expert cautioned.