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The United States has levied restrictions on a group of four individuals and four companies alleged of enlisting South American contractors to support and educate a militia force in Sudan the United States claims of committing genocide.

Network Composition

Announcing the measures on Tuesday, the Treasury stated the network was largely composed of individuals and businesses from Colombia.

Scores of ex-soldiers from Colombia have been recruited to go to the Sudanese warzone to combat beside the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a faction accused of horrific war crimes such as targeted ethnic killings and large-scale abductions.

Revelation of Role

The participation of ex-soldiers was first uncovered in 2024, prompted by an investigation which found that over three hundred ex-military personnel had been contracted to participate in the war – an revelation that led to an unusual statement of regret from Colombia’s foreign ministry.

Former Colombian military have historically been seen as among the world’s most sought-after mercenaries due to their considerable warzone knowledge acquired during years of internal conflict, knowledge of Nato equipment, and elite military instruction.

Activities in Sudan

In Sudan, the contractors have been accused of teaching minors, instructed militiamen in drone operation, and engaged in frontline combat. One source previously stated that training children was "terrible and insane" but noted that "unfortunately that’s how war is".

Sanctioned Individuals

Among those targeted was a retired Colombian officer, a individual with dual citizenship and retired Colombian military officer operating from the UAE. The US authorities accused him a central role in hiring and sending mercenaries to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Oliveros, was penalized as well.

Also on the restricted list was Mateo Andrés Duque Botero, a dual national who the Treasury stated oversaw a company implicated in managing finances and payments for the recruitment operation. "In 2024 and 2025, American entities linked to Duque carried out multiple financial transactions, totalling millions of US dollars," the government release stated.

Colombian national Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the final person to be penalized, with the company she managed said to have conducted wire transfers associated with Duque and his companies.

"The US once more urges external actors to stop giving funding and arms to the warring parties," the Treasury said in a statement.

Expert Analysis

Elizabeth Dickinson, with the International Crisis Group, described the actions as a "highly important" step, stating that "identifying the recruiters is the correct approach".

She added that, Colombia recently passed a law ratifying the anti-mercenary convention, seeking to reduce its citizens' long history in international fights and change domestic defense strategy.

A mercenary specialist, a authority on private military contractors, called for greater wariness, noting that "penalties are required yet incomplete for addressing the growing mercenary trade".

"This is a shadow economy and operating from Dubai, which is relatively sanction-proof," he stated. The United Arab Emirates has been widely accused of supplying weapons to the paramilitary group, claims it rejects. "Expect more Colombian mercenaries," McFate warned.