US Imposes Restrictions on Group Accused of Channeling Colombian Fighters to Sudan.

The Washington has enforced penalties on a operation of four people and four firms charged of hiring Colombian mercenaries to support and educate a Sudanese paramilitary group that Washington accuses of committing genocide.

Group Makeup

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

Numerous of retired Colombian troops have been recruited to go to the conflict in Sudan to fight alongside the Sudanese RSF militia, a group accused of severe violations including targeted ethnic killings and mass abductions.

Revelation of Role

The participation of ex-soldiers first came to light last year, after an investigation which disclosed that more than 300 retired troops had been hired to fight – an revelation that resulted in an unusual statement of regret from Colombia’s foreign ministry.

These South American veterans have historically been seen as among the world’s most sought-after mercenaries due to their considerable warzone knowledge resulting from decades of civil war, familiarity with Nato equipment, and superior tactical education.

Role in the Conflict

In Sudan, the contractors have been accused of teaching underage fighters, provided drone warfare training, and fought directly on the frontlines. An individual involved was quoted as saying that training children was "horrific and irrational" but commented that "sadly, that is the nature of conflict".

Targeted Persons

Among those sanctioned was a retired Colombian officer, a dual Colombian-Italian national and ex-soldier located in the United Arab Emirates. The Treasury alleged he played a pivotal function in recruiting and deploying ex-military personnel to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Oliveros, was similarly targeted.

Also on the sanctions list was Mateo Andrés Duque Botero, a dual Colombian-Spanish citizen who the Treasury stated oversaw a company accused of managing finances and payments for the scheme. "In 2024 and 2025, US-based firms connected to Duque carried out multiple financial transactions, worth millions," the official announcement said.

Citizen of Colombia Mónica Muñoz was the other individual to be targeted, with the entity she oversaw said to have conducted money transfers linked to Duque and his companies.

"The US once more urges outside forces to cease providing funding and arms to the warring parties," the agency announced.

Analyst Commentary

Elizabeth Dickinson, with the International Crisis Group, labeled the sanctions as a "highly important" step, noting that "targeting the enablers is the right way to go".

She added that, Bogotá ratified a law approving the global treaty against mercenarism, seeking to reduce its citizens' long history in international fights and transform national security policy.

Sean McFate, a authority on private military contractors, called for greater wariness, stating that "penalties are required yet incomplete for combating rampant mercenarism".

"It operates in the black market and based out of Dubai, which is largely insulated from sanctions," he said. The United Arab Emirates has been repeatedly implicated of providing arms to the militia, an accusation it has denied. "This trend will probably continue," the expert cautioned.