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The US government has imposed sanctions on a network of four people and four firms charged of enlisting South American contractors to fight for and train a militia force in Sudan which the US alleges of committing genocide.

Network Composition

Announcing the measures on Tuesday, the US Treasury Department stated the network was primarily made up of individuals and businesses from Colombia.

Hundreds of ex-soldiers from Colombia have reportedly travelled to the Sudanese warzone to operate with the Sudanese RSF militia, a force linked to horrific war crimes such as massacres based on ethnicity and widespread kidnappings.

Emergence of Involvement

The role of these mercenaries initially emerged last year, following an investigation which revealed that more than 300 retired troops had been recruited to fight – an revelation that resulted in an rare mea culpa from officials in Bogotá.

Former Colombian military have long been considered as highly prized fighters in conflict zones due to their extensive battlefield experience acquired during decades of civil war, knowledge of Nato equipment, and superior tactical education.

Role in the Conflict

In the conflict, the Colombians have allegedly instructed minors, taught fighters to pilot drones, and participated in direct battles. An individual involved was quoted as saying that instructing minors was "horrific and irrational" but added that "sadly, that is the nature of conflict".

Targeted Persons

Among those sanctioned was a retired Colombian officer, a citizen of both Colombia and Italy and ex-soldier located in the UAE. The government said he had a pivotal function in recruiting and deploying mercenaries to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Oliveros, was also sanctioned.

Also on the restricted list was Mateo Duque Botero, a individual with Colombian and Spanish citizenship who authorities say ran a firm accused of handling funds and payroll for the scheme. "In 2024 and 2025, companies in the United States connected to Duque conducted numerous wire transfers, amounting to millions," the official announcement said.

Citizen of Colombia Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the fourth individual to be penalized, with the firm she operated accused of financial transactions associated with Duque and his companies.

"The United States again calls on external actors to halt the flow of funding and arms to the warring parties," the Treasury said in a statement.

Analyst Commentary

Elizabeth Dickinson, senior analyst at the International Crisis Group, described the measures as a "major" milestone, noting that "identifying the recruiters is the proper strategy".

She added that, Bogotá recently passed a statute approving the International Convention Against the Recruitment and Use of Mercenaries, aiming to curb its citizens' long history in overseas wars and change national security policy.

A mercenary specialist, an expert on mercenaries, urged more caution, saying that "sanctions are necessary but insufficient for dealing with rampant mercenarism".

"It’s an illicit economy and operating from the Emirates, which is largely insulated from sanctions," he commented. The United Arab Emirates has been frequently alleged of arming the RSF, an accusation it has denied. "More contractors from Colombia are likely," the expert cautioned.