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The US government has imposed sanctions on a network of four people and four firms alleged of recruiting South American contractors to fight for and train a militia force in Sudan that Washington accuses of genocidal acts.

Operation Structure

Disclosing the restrictions on Tuesday, the Treasury stated the operation was mostly comprised of Colombian citizens and firms.

Hundreds of retired Colombian troops have reportedly travelled to the conflict in Sudan to operate with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a group linked to terrible atrocities such as massacres based on ethnicity and mass abductions.

Emergence of Involvement

The role of these mercenaries was first uncovered the previous year, prompted by an investigation which disclosed that hundreds of ex-military personnel had been recruited to fight – an event that led to an rare mea culpa from the Colombian government.

Former Colombian military have widely regarded as among the world’s most sought-after mercenaries due to their considerable warzone knowledge resulting from years of internal conflict, training on Western military gear, and superior tactical education.

Reported Actions

In Sudan, the Colombians have been accused of teaching minors, taught fighters to pilot drones, and fought directly on the frontlines. A mercenary was quoted as saying that working with child soldiers was "terrible and insane" but commented that "sadly, that is the nature of conflict".

Targeted Persons

Among those targeted was a retired Colombian officer, a citizen of both Colombia and Italy and former army officer located in the United Arab Emirates. The Treasury accused him a central role in enlisting and transporting mercenaries to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was penalized as well.

Also on the sanctions list was Mateo Andrés Duque Botero, a dual Colombian-Spanish citizen who officials alleged managed a business accused of managing finances and payments for the scheme. "In 2024 and 2025, US-based firms connected to Duque engaged in multiple financial transactions, amounting to millions," the government release said.

Citizen of Colombia Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the fourth individual to be targeted, with the firm she operated alleged to have financial transactions associated with Duque and his companies.

"The United States again calls on outside forces to stop giving financial and military support to the belligerents," the agency said in a statement.

Analyst Commentary

An expert, with the International Crisis Group, described the measures as a "very significant" milestone, noting that "identifying the recruiters is the proper strategy".

Furthermore, Bogotá recently passed a statute ratifying the anti-mercenary convention, seeking to reduce years of participation by its nationals in overseas wars and change its security approach.

Sean McFate, a authority on private military contractors, called for greater wariness, saying that "restrictions are needed but not enough for combating widespread use of contractors".

"This is a shadow economy and centered in the Emirates, which is largely insulated from sanctions," he commented. The United Arab Emirates has been frequently alleged of providing arms to the militia, allegations it disputes. "More contractors from Colombia are likely," he advised.