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The United States has levied restrictions on a network of several persons and entities charged of hiring South American contractors to support and educate a armed faction in Sudan the United States claims of genocidal acts.

Network Composition

Revealing the sanctions on this week, the Treasury stated the operation was mostly comprised of Colombian citizens and firms.

Numerous of retired Colombian troops have been recruited to go to the Sudanese warzone to fight alongside the Sudanese RSF militia, a group linked to severe violations encompassing targeted ethnic killings and mass abductions.

Revelation of Role

The participation of ex-soldiers was first uncovered the previous year, prompted by an investigation which disclosed that more than 300 former soldiers had been recruited to engage in combat – an revelation that resulted in an unusual statement of regret from the Colombian government.

These South American veterans have long been considered as among the world’s most sought-after mercenaries due to their considerable warzone knowledge acquired during decades of civil war, knowledge of Nato equipment, and elite military instruction.

Reported Actions

In Sudan, the Colombians have reportedly trained underage fighters, taught fighters to pilot drones, and fought directly on the frontlines. An individual involved previously stated that instructing minors was "horrific and irrational" but noted that "regrettably, war operates that way".

Sanctioned Individuals

Among those penalized was a dual national, a dual Colombian-Italian national and ex-soldier located in the United Arab Emirates. The US authorities said he had a central role in recruiting and deploying former Colombian soldiers to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was similarly targeted.

Also on the penalty list was Mateo Duque Botero, a individual with Colombian and Spanish citizenship who authorities say managed a business implicated in processing money and salaries for the recruitment operation. "In 2024 and 2025, companies in the United States connected to Duque engaged in multiple financial transactions, worth millions," the Treasury statement noted.

Individual Mónica Muñoz was the other individual to be penalized, with the entity she oversaw alleged to have money transfers linked to Duque and his operations.

"The US once more urges external actors to cease providing funding and arms to the belligerents," the Treasury said in a statement.

Analyst Commentary

A senior analyst, with the International Crisis Group, labeled the measures as a "highly important" development, stating that "calling out those who are doing the contracting is the right way to go".

It was also noted that, the Colombian government ratified a statute ratifying the anti-mercenary convention, designed to limit years of participation by its nationals in foreign conflicts and transform its security approach.

A mercenary specialist, a authority on private military contractors, advised additional measures, noting that "restrictions are needed but not enough for addressing rampant mercenarism".

"It operates in the black market and operating from the UAE, which is difficult to penalize," he commented. The UAE has been widely accused of supplying weapons to the paramilitary group, claims it rejects. "Expect more Colombian mercenaries," the expert cautioned.