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The United States has enforced penalties on a group of several persons and entities charged of recruiting South American contractors to fight for and train a militia force in Sudan which the US alleges of genocidal acts.

Network Composition

Disclosing the measures on this week, the Treasury stated the operation was largely composed of Colombian nationals and companies.

Hundreds of former Colombian military personnel have reportedly travelled to Sudan to fight alongside the Sudanese RSF militia, a faction implicated in severe violations such as ethnically targeted slaughter and mass abductions.

Discovery of Participation

The role of these mercenaries was first uncovered in 2024, following an report which found that more than 300 ex-military personnel had been contracted to participate in the war – an discovery that prompted an unusual statement of regret from officials in Bogotá.

Former Colombian military have historically been seen as some of the most in-demand contractors globally due to their vast combat experience gleaned from a long-running domestic war, knowledge of Western military gear, and elite military instruction.

Role in the Conflict

In Sudan, the contractors have been accused of teaching underage fighters, provided drone warfare training, and participated in direct battles. A mercenary previously stated that training children was "horrific and irrational" but noted that "sadly, that is the nature of conflict".

Sanctioned Individuals

Among those sanctioned was a retired Colombian officer, a dual Colombian-Italian national and former army officer located in the Dubai. The US authorities accused him a key part in enlisting and transporting former Colombian soldiers to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was also sanctioned.

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

Citizen of Colombia Mónica Muñoz was the other individual to be penalized, with the company she managed alleged to have financial transactions connected to Duque and his businesses.

"The US once more urges outside forces to cease providing monetary and weaponry aid to the combatants," the Treasury announced.

Analyst Commentary

Elizabeth Dickinson, with the International Crisis Group, called the measures as a "highly important" step, saying that "targeting the enablers is the correct approach".

She added that, Bogotá ratified a piece of legislation approving the anti-mercenary convention, designed to limit decades of Colombian involvement in international fights and reshape domestic defense strategy.

Another expert, an expert on mercenaries, urged more caution, stating that "restrictions are needed but not enough for addressing widespread use of contractors".

"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 supplying weapons to the paramilitary group, claims it rejects. "Expect more Colombian mercenaries," the expert cautioned.