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The United States has levied restrictions on a network of four people and four firms charged of enlisting former Colombian soldiers to fight for and train a Sudanese paramilitary group that Washington accuses of genocidal acts.

Group Makeup

Revealing the measures on this week, the US Treasury Department stated the scheme was mostly comprised of Colombian nationals and companies.

Hundreds of retired Colombian troops have reportedly travelled to Sudan to fight alongside the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a force accused of horrific war crimes such as targeted ethnic killings and mass abductions.

Emergence of Involvement

The involvement of Colombian fighters was first uncovered in 2024, following an report which disclosed that over three hundred ex-military personnel had been contracted to fight – an discovery that led to an unusual statement of regret from the Colombian government.

Colombian ex-soldiers have widely regarded as highly prized fighters in conflict zones due to their vast combat experience gleaned from years of internal conflict, knowledge of Western military gear, and superior tactical education.

Reported Actions

In the conflict, the Colombians have reportedly trained minors, provided drone warfare training, and engaged in frontline combat. An individual involved previously stated that working with child soldiers was "awful and crazy" but noted that "sadly, that is the nature of conflict".

Named Entities

Among those targeted was a dual national, a dual Colombian-Italian national and retired Colombian military officer based in the United Arab Emirates. The Treasury said he had a central role in recruiting and deploying former Colombian soldiers to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was similarly targeted.

Also on the penalty list was Duque Botero, a individual with Colombian and Spanish citizenship who authorities say oversaw a company accused of processing money and salaries for the network. "In 2024 and 2025, American entities linked to Duque engaged in several money transfers, worth millions," the government release stated.

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

"The US once more urges foreign parties to halt the flow of monetary and weaponry aid to the combatants," the department announced.

Analyst Commentary

A senior analyst, with the International Crisis Group, called the measures as a "major" milestone, stating that "targeting the enablers is the right way to go".

It was also noted that, Colombia recently passed a law endorsing the anti-mercenary convention, designed to limit years of participation by its nationals in international fights and change national security policy.

A mercenary specialist, an expert on mercenaries, urged more caution, saying that "restrictions are needed but not enough for dealing with the growing mercenary trade".

"It operates in the black market and centered in the UAE, which is relatively sanction-proof," he stated. The Emirati government has been widely accused of providing arms to the militia, claims it rejects. "This trend will probably continue," the expert cautioned.