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The United States has levied restrictions on a network of four individuals and four companies charged of hiring South American contractors to support and educate a militia force in Sudan the United States claims of genocidal acts.

Network Composition

Announcing the measures on this week, the American treasury stated the network was mostly comprised of individuals and businesses from Colombia.

Numerous of former Colombian military personnel have allegedly journeyed to the conflict in Sudan to fight alongside the RSF paramilitary group, a group accused of horrific war crimes such as massacres based on ethnicity and large-scale abductions.

Discovery of Participation

The participation of ex-soldiers initially emerged last year, following an investigation which revealed that hundreds of former soldiers had been hired to fight – an discovery that resulted in an unusual statement of regret from the Colombian government.

Former Colombian military have historically been seen as some of the most in-demand contractors globally due to their considerable warzone knowledge resulting from decades of civil war, knowledge of Western military gear, and superior tactical education.

Role in the Conflict

In the Sudanese theater, the Colombians have allegedly instructed minors, provided drone warfare training, and participated in direct battles. A mercenary previously stated that working with child soldiers was "awful and crazy" but noted that "sadly, that is the nature of conflict".

Sanctioned Individuals

Among those sanctioned was a dual national, a citizen of both Colombia and Italy and ex-soldier located in the UAE. The US authorities alleged he played a key part in hiring and sending mercenaries to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was similarly targeted.

Also on the sanctions list was Mateo Duque Botero, a individual with Colombian and Spanish citizenship who the Treasury stated oversaw a company linked to managing finances and payments for the recruitment operation. "In 2024 and 2025, US-based firms connected to Duque carried out several money transfers, amounting to millions," the Treasury statement said.

Colombian national Mónica Muñoz was the other individual to be sanctioned, with the firm she operated alleged to have money transfers associated with Duque and his businesses.

"The United States again calls on external actors to halt the flow of monetary and weaponry aid to the belligerents," the agency said in a statement.

Analyst Commentary

Elizabeth Dickinson, with the International Crisis Group, labeled the sanctions as a "very significant" step, stating that "targeting the enablers is the correct approach".

It was also noted that, Colombia ratified a piece of legislation approving the International Convention Against the Recruitment and Use of Mercenaries, seeking to reduce years of participation by its nationals in international fights and transform national security policy.

A mercenary specialist, a authority on private military contractors, advised additional measures, noting that "sanctions are necessary but insufficient for combating the growing mercenary trade".

"This is a shadow economy and operating from the UAE, which is difficult to penalize," he commented. The United Arab Emirates has been widely accused of providing arms to the militia, claims it rejects. "More contractors from Colombia are likely," he advised.