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The United States has imposed sanctions on a network of four people and four firms charged of recruiting South American contractors to support and educate a armed faction in Sudan that Washington accuses of committing genocide.

Operation Structure

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

Numerous of ex-soldiers from Colombia have reportedly travelled to the conflict in Sudan to combat beside the RSF paramilitary group, a group linked to horrific war crimes encompassing massacres based on ethnicity and widespread kidnappings.

Revelation of Role

The participation of ex-soldiers first came to light last year, after an inquiry which found that more than 300 ex-military personnel had been contracted to engage in combat – an event that resulted in an unprecedented apology from Colombia’s foreign ministry.

Former Colombian military have widely regarded as highly prized fighters in conflict zones due to their considerable warzone knowledge acquired during a long-running domestic war, training on Nato equipment, and high-level combat training.

Activities in Sudan

In the Sudanese theater, the Colombians have reportedly trained child soldiers, instructed militiamen in drone operation, and engaged in frontline combat. One source was quoted as saying that instructing minors was "horrific and irrational" but noted that "sadly, that is the nature of conflict".

Targeted Persons

Among those targeted was a dual national, a dual Colombian-Italian national and former army officer based in the United Arab Emirates. 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 restricted list was Mateo Duque Botero, a dual Colombian-Spanish citizen who authorities say ran a firm implicated in managing finances and payments for the recruitment operation. "In 2024 and 2025, companies in the United States associated with Duque conducted multiple financial transactions, amounting to millions," the government release said.

Citizen of Colombia Mónica Muñoz was the final person to be penalized, with the entity she oversaw said to have conducted financial transactions connected to Duque and his businesses.

"The US once more urges outside forces to cease providing financial and military support to the belligerents," the Treasury announced.

Reaction

An expert, from a conflict think tank, described the actions as a "major" step, noting that "targeting the enablers is the right way to go".

Furthermore, the Colombian government ratified a law approving the International Convention Against the Recruitment and Use of Mercenaries, designed to limit decades of Colombian involvement in overseas wars and change domestic defense strategy.

Sean McFate, an expert on mercenaries, advised additional measures, stating that "penalties are required yet incomplete for combating rampant mercenarism".

"It’s an illicit economy and based out of the Emirates, which is difficult to penalize," he said. The United Arab Emirates has been frequently alleged of supplying weapons to the paramilitary group, an accusation it has denied. "Expect more Colombian mercenaries," he advised.