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The US government has imposed sanctions on a network of four individuals and four companies charged of hiring South American contractors to support and educate a armed faction in Sudan the United States claims of acts of genocide.

Operation Structure

Revealing the sanctions on Tuesday, the American treasury stated the operation was primarily made up of individuals and businesses from Colombia.

Numerous of retired Colombian troops have allegedly journeyed to the Sudanese warzone to fight alongside the Sudanese RSF militia, a group accused of horrific war crimes encompassing ethnically targeted slaughter and widespread kidnappings.

Revelation of Role

The involvement of Colombian fighters was first uncovered the previous year, following an inquiry which found that over three hundred ex-military personnel had been recruited to participate in the war – an event 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 considerable warzone knowledge acquired during years of internal conflict, training on Western military gear, and superior tactical education.

Role in the Conflict

In the conflict, the Colombians have allegedly instructed underage fighters, taught fighters to pilot drones, and participated in direct battles. One source was quoted as saying that instructing minors was "horrific and irrational" but noted that "unfortunately that’s how war is".

Targeted Persons

Among those targeted was a retired Colombian officer, a citizen of both Colombia and Italy and retired Colombian military officer operating from the Dubai. The US authorities said he had a key part in hiring and sending mercenaries to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Oliveros, was also sanctioned.

Also on the sanctions list was Mateo Duque Botero, a dual Colombian-Spanish citizen who authorities say oversaw a company accused of managing finances and payments for the network. "In 2024 and 2025, American entities associated with Duque conducted numerous wire transfers, totalling millions of US dollars," the Treasury statement said.

Individual Mónica Muñoz was the other individual to be targeted, with the company she managed accused of wire transfers associated with Duque and his operations.

"The United States again calls on external actors to cease providing financial and military support to the belligerents," the Treasury stated.

Analyst Commentary

Elizabeth Dickinson, from a conflict think tank, labeled the actions as a "highly important" milestone, stating that "identifying the recruiters is the right way to go".

It was also noted that, Bogotá has enacted a statute approving the International Convention Against the Recruitment and Use of Mercenaries, designed to limit its citizens' long history in overseas wars and reshape national security policy.

Sean McFate, an expert on mercenaries, called for greater wariness, stating that "penalties are required yet incomplete for dealing with the growing mercenary trade".

"This is a shadow economy and based out of the UAE, which is largely insulated from sanctions," he said. The UAE has been frequently alleged of supplying weapons to the paramilitary group, allegations it disputes. "Expect more Colombian mercenaries," McFate warned.