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The Washington has enforced penalties on a operation of four individuals and four companies alleged of hiring South American contractors to support and educate a armed faction in Sudan which the US alleges of committing genocide.

Network Composition

Announcing the sanctions on Tuesday, the American treasury stated the operation was mostly comprised of individuals and businesses from Colombia.

Numerous of ex-soldiers from Colombia have allegedly journeyed to the conflict in Sudan to fight alongside the Sudanese RSF militia, a group accused of horrific war crimes such as ethnically targeted slaughter and large-scale abductions.

Revelation of Role

The involvement of Colombian fighters was first uncovered the previous year, following an investigation which found that over three hundred retired troops had been contracted to participate in the war – an revelation that resulted in an unusual statement of regret from officials in Bogotá.

These South American veterans have widely regarded as some of the most in-demand contractors globally due to their vast combat experience gleaned from a long-running domestic war, familiarity with advanced weaponry, and elite military instruction.

Role in the Conflict

In the conflict, the contractors have reportedly trained underage fighters, instructed militiamen in drone operation, and fought directly on the frontlines. One source previously stated that working with child soldiers was "awful and crazy" but commented that "regrettably, war operates that way".

Sanctioned Individuals

Among those penalized was a retired Colombian officer, a individual with dual citizenship and ex-soldier based in the UAE. The government accused him a central role in enlisting and transporting former Colombian soldiers to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Oliveros, was penalized as well.

Also on the sanctions list was Mateo Andrés Duque Botero, a dual Colombian-Spanish citizen who the Treasury stated oversaw a company linked to processing money and salaries for the recruitment operation. "In 2024 and 2025, US-based firms connected to Duque carried out multiple financial transactions, worth millions," the government release said.

Colombian national Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the final person to be penalized, with the firm she operated alleged to have money transfers associated with Duque and his businesses.

"The United States again calls on external actors to cease providing monetary and weaponry aid to the belligerents," the Treasury stated.

Reaction

A senior analyst, senior analyst at the International Crisis Group, called the measures as a "major" step, noting that "calling out those who are doing the contracting is the correct approach".

She added that, the Colombian government ratified a piece of legislation ratifying the anti-mercenary convention, seeking to reduce decades of Colombian involvement in foreign conflicts and reshape domestic defense strategy.

A mercenary specialist, an expert on mercenaries, advised additional measures, stating that "restrictions are needed but not enough for dealing with rampant mercenarism".

"It’s an illicit economy and based out of Dubai, which is largely insulated from sanctions," he commented. The UAE has been frequently alleged of supplying weapons to the paramilitary group, claims it rejects. "More contractors from Colombia are likely," he advised.