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The Washington has levied restrictions on a network of four people and four firms accused of enlisting South American contractors to support and educate a militia force in Sudan the United States claims of genocidal acts.

Network Composition

Revealing the sanctions on this week, the US Treasury Department stated the operation was primarily made up of individuals and businesses from Colombia.

Hundreds of former Colombian military personnel have been recruited to go to the Sudanese warzone to operate with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a force implicated in terrible atrocities including massacres based on ethnicity and widespread kidnappings.

Revelation of Role

The involvement of Colombian fighters first came to light the previous year, prompted by an report which found that more than 300 former soldiers had been hired to participate in the war – an revelation that prompted an unusual statement of regret from Colombia’s foreign ministry.

Colombian ex-soldiers have historically been seen as some of the most in-demand contractors globally due to their vast combat experience gleaned from years of internal conflict, knowledge of Western military gear, and superior tactical education.

Reported Actions

In Sudan, the Colombians have allegedly instructed child soldiers, taught fighters to pilot drones, and fought directly on the frontlines. One source previously stated that instructing minors was "horrific and irrational" but added that "unfortunately that’s how war is".

Named Entities

Among those targeted was a retired Colombian officer, a individual with dual citizenship and retired Colombian military officer located in the Dubai. The government alleged he played a key part in hiring and sending ex-military personnel to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was also sanctioned.

Also on the restricted list was Duque Botero, a dual national who officials alleged managed a business implicated in processing money and salaries for the scheme. "In 2024 and 2025, US-based firms connected to Duque conducted several money transfers, worth millions," the government release noted.

Citizen of Colombia Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the other individual to be targeted, with the entity she oversaw accused of financial transactions linked to Duque and his businesses.

"The United States again calls on foreign parties to stop giving funding and arms to the combatants," the Treasury announced.

Reaction

A senior analyst, senior analyst at the International Crisis Group, labeled the measures as a "highly important" development, noting that "calling out those who are doing the contracting is the proper strategy".

She added that, Colombia recently passed a statute approving the International Convention Against the Recruitment and Use of Mercenaries, aiming to curb decades of Colombian involvement in international fights and transform national security policy.

A mercenary specialist, an expert on mercenaries, advised additional measures, noting that "sanctions are necessary but insufficient for dealing with widespread use of contractors".

"It’s an illicit economy and centered in the UAE, which is difficult to penalize," he commented. The UAE has been repeatedly implicated of providing arms to the militia, an accusation it has denied. "This trend will probably continue," McFate warned.