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The United States has imposed sanctions on a network of four individuals and four companies alleged of recruiting South American contractors to combat alongside and instruct a militia force in Sudan which the US alleges of genocidal acts.

Network Composition

Announcing the measures on this week, the US Treasury Department stated the network was primarily made up of Colombian nationals and companies.

Hundreds of ex-soldiers from Colombia have reportedly travelled to the Sudanese warzone to combat beside the Sudanese RSF militia, a force linked to terrible atrocities including targeted ethnic killings and mass abductions.

Revelation of Role

The involvement of Colombian fighters was first uncovered in 2024, after an inquiry which revealed that more than 300 ex-military personnel had been recruited to participate in the war – an event that resulted in an unusual statement of regret from the Colombian government.

These South American veterans have widely regarded as some of the most in-demand contractors globally due to their vast combat experience resulting from decades of civil war, knowledge of advanced weaponry, and elite military instruction.

Role in the Conflict

In the Sudanese theater, the contractors have reportedly trained child soldiers, provided drone warfare training, and participated in direct battles. An individual involved was quoted as saying that working with child soldiers was "terrible and insane" but noted that "regrettably, war operates that way".

Targeted Persons

Among those penalized was a dual national, a dual Colombian-Italian national and former army officer located in the Dubai. The Treasury alleged he played a central role in hiring and sending ex-military personnel to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was similarly targeted.

Also on the penalty list was Mateo Andrés Duque Botero, a individual with Colombian and Spanish citizenship who authorities say ran a firm accused of handling funds and payroll for the network. "Recently, American entities connected to Duque carried out numerous wire transfers, amounting to millions," the government release noted.

Citizen of Colombia Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the other individual to be penalized, with the firm she operated accused of wire transfers associated with Duque and his companies.

"The United States again calls on outside forces to halt the flow of funding and arms to the combatants," the department stated.

Analyst Commentary

A senior analyst, with the International Crisis Group, called the sanctions as a "major" development, noting that "calling out those who are doing the contracting is the proper strategy".

She added that, Bogotá has enacted a law approving the anti-mercenary convention, designed to limit decades of Colombian involvement in overseas wars and transform its security approach.

A mercenary specialist, a authority on private military contractors, advised additional measures, saying that "restrictions are needed but not enough for addressing the growing mercenary trade".

"This is a shadow economy and based out of the Emirates, which is relatively sanction-proof," he stated. The UAE has been frequently alleged of arming the RSF, allegations it disputes. "This trend will probably continue," McFate warned.