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The Washington has imposed sanctions on a operation of four people and four firms alleged of enlisting Colombian mercenaries to combat alongside and instruct a militia force in Sudan which the US alleges of genocidal acts.

Group Makeup

Revealing the restrictions on Tuesday, the American treasury stated the operation was primarily made up of Colombian nationals and companies.

Hundreds of retired Colombian troops have allegedly journeyed to Sudan to fight alongside the Sudanese RSF militia, a group implicated in terrible atrocities such as targeted ethnic killings and mass abductions.

Revelation of Role

The role of these mercenaries first came to light in 2024, prompted by an report which disclosed that more than 300 retired troops had been contracted to fight – an revelation that prompted an unusual statement of regret from Colombia’s foreign ministry.

These South American veterans have widely regarded as highly prized fighters in conflict zones due to their vast combat experience resulting from decades of civil war, familiarity with Nato equipment, and elite military instruction.

Reported Actions

In the conflict, the mercenaries have allegedly instructed underage fighters, instructed militiamen in drone operation, and engaged in frontline combat. An individual involved was quoted as saying that working with child soldiers was "terrible and insane" but commented that "sadly, that is the nature of conflict".

Targeted Persons

Among those targeted was a dual national, a dual Colombian-Italian national and former army officer located in the UAE. The Treasury accused him a pivotal function in hiring and sending ex-military personnel to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Oliveros, was also sanctioned.

Also on the sanctions list was Duque Botero, a dual Colombian-Spanish citizen who authorities say ran a firm implicated in processing money and salaries for the network. "In 2024 and 2025, companies in the United States linked to Duque engaged in several money transfers, amounting to millions," the official announcement noted.

Citizen of Colombia Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the other individual to be targeted, with the entity she oversaw accused of money transfers associated with Duque and his companies.

"Washington reiterates its demand for external actors to halt the flow of financial and military support to the belligerents," the Treasury stated.

Expert Analysis

A senior analyst, with the International Crisis Group, labeled the actions as a "highly important" milestone, noting that "calling out those who are doing the contracting is the proper strategy".

It was also noted that, the Colombian government ratified a statute approving the International Convention Against the Recruitment and Use of Mercenaries, designed to limit its citizens' long history in overseas wars and reshape domestic defense strategy.

A mercenary specialist, a scholar on the subject, called for greater wariness, stating that "restrictions are needed but not enough for combating widespread use of contractors".

"This is a shadow economy and based out of Dubai, which is relatively sanction-proof," he said. The Emirati government has been widely accused of providing arms to the militia, an accusation it has denied. "More contractors from Colombia are likely," McFate warned.