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The US government has levied restrictions on a network of several persons and entities charged of recruiting South American contractors to support and educate a armed faction in Sudan that Washington accuses of committing genocide.

Group Makeup

Disclosing the sanctions on Tuesday, the Treasury stated the operation was primarily made up of Colombian nationals and companies.

Scores of former Colombian military personnel have allegedly journeyed to the conflict in Sudan to operate with the RSF paramilitary group, a faction linked to terrible atrocities encompassing ethnically targeted slaughter and widespread kidnappings.

Revelation of Role

The role of these mercenaries was first uncovered the previous year, after an report which found that more than 300 ex-military personnel had been hired to participate in the war – an event that prompted an unprecedented apology from Colombia’s foreign ministry.

Former Colombian military have historically been seen as among the world’s most sought-after mercenaries due to their considerable warzone knowledge gleaned from decades of civil war, training on Nato equipment, and high-level combat training.

Role in the Conflict

In the Sudanese theater, the mercenaries have reportedly trained minors, instructed militiamen in drone operation, and fought directly on the frontlines. One source was quoted as saying that instructing minors was "horrific and irrational" but commented that "sadly, that is the nature of conflict".

Sanctioned Individuals

Among those sanctioned was a dual national, a individual with dual citizenship and former army officer operating from the UAE. The Treasury alleged he played a key part in recruiting and deploying ex-military personnel to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Oliveros, was penalized as well.

Also on the penalty list was Mateo Andrés Duque Botero, a dual national who officials alleged managed a business implicated in processing money and salaries for the network. "In 2024 and 2025, companies in the United States linked to Duque carried out multiple financial transactions, amounting to millions," the government release stated.

Colombian national Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the final person to be penalized, with the firm she operated said to have conducted money transfers connected to Duque and his businesses.

"The US once more urges outside forces to halt the flow of funding and arms to the combatants," the department stated.

Analyst Commentary

An expert, from a conflict think tank, labeled the measures as a "highly important" step, stating that "calling out those who are doing the contracting is the proper strategy".

She added that, Colombia has enacted a law approving the International Convention Against the Recruitment and Use of Mercenaries, designed to limit decades of Colombian involvement in overseas wars and transform its security approach.

Sean McFate, a authority on private military contractors, urged more caution, stating that "sanctions are necessary but insufficient for addressing the growing mercenary trade".

"This is a shadow economy and operating from the UAE, which is relatively sanction-proof," he stated. The UAE has been frequently alleged of providing arms to the militia, an accusation it has denied. "Expect more Colombian mercenaries," he advised.