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The US government has levied restrictions on a network of four people and four firms charged of hiring South American contractors to combat alongside and instruct a Sudanese paramilitary group that Washington accuses of committing genocide.

Operation Structure

Announcing the restrictions on Tuesday, the Treasury stated the scheme was primarily made up of individuals and businesses from Colombia.

Hundreds of retired Colombian troops have been recruited to go to Sudan to operate with the Sudanese RSF militia, a force accused of severe violations encompassing targeted ethnic killings and mass abductions.

Revelation of Role

The involvement of Colombian fighters was first uncovered the previous year, prompted by an inquiry which disclosed that hundreds of retired troops had been contracted to fight – an discovery that resulted in an unprecedented apology from the Colombian government.

Colombian ex-soldiers have historically been seen as among the world’s most sought-after mercenaries due to their vast combat experience acquired during years of internal conflict, knowledge of advanced weaponry, and superior tactical education.

Activities in Sudan

In the conflict, the contractors have reportedly trained minors, taught fighters to pilot drones, and participated in direct battles. An individual involved remarked that training children was "awful and crazy" but commented that "unfortunately that’s how war is".

Sanctioned Individuals

Among those targeted 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 enlisting and transporting former Colombian soldiers 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 officials alleged ran a firm accused of managing finances and payments for the recruitment operation. "In 2024 and 2025, American entities connected to Duque conducted numerous wire transfers, amounting to millions," the Treasury statement noted.

Citizen of Colombia Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the fourth individual to be penalized, with the company she managed accused of money transfers connected to Duque and his operations.

"The United States again calls on outside forces to stop giving monetary and weaponry aid to the warring parties," the department announced.

Reaction

Elizabeth Dickinson, from a conflict think tank, labeled the measures as a "very significant" milestone, saying that "targeting the enablers is the correct approach".

Furthermore, Bogotá recently passed a law ratifying the anti-mercenary convention, seeking to reduce its citizens' long history in overseas wars and transform its security approach.

A mercenary specialist, an expert on mercenaries, advised additional measures, noting that "restrictions are needed but not enough for addressing the growing mercenary trade".

"It’s an illicit economy and operating from Dubai, which is relatively sanction-proof," he commented. The Emirati government has been frequently alleged of providing arms to the militia, allegations it disputes. "Expect more Colombian mercenaries," the expert cautioned.