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The US government has levied restrictions on a network of four individuals and four companies accused of enlisting South American contractors to support and educate a militia force in Sudan which the US alleges of acts of genocide.

Operation Structure

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

Numerous of retired Colombian troops have been recruited to go to Sudan to combat beside the Sudanese RSF militia, a force accused of severe violations such as ethnically targeted slaughter and mass abductions.

Revelation of Role

The involvement of Colombian fighters first came to light the previous year, after an inquiry which disclosed that hundreds of former soldiers had been contracted to participate in the war – an event that prompted an unprecedented apology from officials in Bogotá.

These South American veterans have long been considered as some of the most in-demand contractors globally due to their vast combat experience acquired during years of internal conflict, familiarity with Nato equipment, and elite military instruction.

Role in the Conflict

In Sudan, the contractors have reportedly trained minors, instructed militiamen in drone operation, and fought directly on the frontlines. A mercenary previously stated that working with child soldiers was "horrific and irrational" but commented that "unfortunately that’s how war is".

Targeted Persons

Among those penalized was a retired Colombian officer, a individual with dual citizenship and retired Colombian military officer based in the Dubai. The Treasury alleged he played a key part in enlisting and transporting mercenaries to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was penalized as well.

Also on the penalty list was Mateo Duque Botero, a individual with Colombian and Spanish citizenship who authorities say managed a business implicated in managing finances and payments for the network. "In 2024 and 2025, American entities connected to Duque carried out numerous wire transfers, amounting to millions," the official announcement said.

Individual Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the other individual to be penalized, with the company she managed alleged to have wire transfers linked to Duque and his businesses.

"The US once more urges outside forces to halt the flow of financial and military support to the combatants," the Treasury stated.

Reaction

Elizabeth Dickinson, with the International Crisis Group, labeled the sanctions as a "major" development, saying that "targeting the enablers is the proper strategy".

She added that, the Colombian government ratified a piece of legislation approving the International Convention Against the Recruitment and Use of Mercenaries, designed to limit its citizens' long history in international fights and reshape its security approach.

A mercenary specialist, a scholar on the subject, urged more caution, saying that "sanctions are necessary but insufficient for combating widespread use of contractors".

"It operates in the black market and operating from the Emirates, which is difficult to penalize," he said. The Emirati government has been widely accused of providing arms to the militia, allegations it disputes. "This trend will probably continue," McFate warned.