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The United States has imposed sanctions on a operation of four individuals and four companies accused of recruiting South American contractors to support and educate a militia force in Sudan the United States claims of genocidal acts.

Operation Structure

Announcing the restrictions on this week, the US Treasury Department stated the network was primarily made up of Colombian nationals and companies.

Scores of former Colombian military personnel have reportedly travelled to the conflict in Sudan to combat beside the Sudanese RSF militia, a group accused of severe violations such as massacres based on ethnicity and large-scale abductions.

Emergence of Involvement

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 hired to fight – an event that led to an unusual statement of regret from Colombia’s foreign ministry.

These South American veterans have long been considered as highly prized fighters in conflict zones due to their extensive battlefield experience resulting from decades of civil war, training on Western military gear, and high-level combat training.

Activities in Sudan

In Sudan, the Colombians have been accused of teaching child soldiers, instructed militiamen in drone operation, and fought directly on the frontlines. An individual involved previously stated that training children was "horrific and irrational" but added that "unfortunately that’s how war is".

Targeted Persons

Among those sanctioned was a retired Colombian officer, a dual Colombian-Italian national and retired Colombian military officer operating from the United Arab Emirates. The US authorities alleged he played a central role in hiring and sending ex-military personnel to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Oliveros, was similarly targeted.

Also on the sanctions list was Mateo Duque Botero, a dual national who the Treasury stated oversaw a company linked to processing money and salaries for the network. "In 2024 and 2025, companies in the United States linked to Duque conducted numerous wire transfers, amounting to millions," the Treasury statement stated.

Citizen of Colombia Mónica Muñoz was the other individual to be penalized, with the company she managed accused of financial transactions connected to Duque and his operations.

"Washington reiterates its demand for outside forces to stop giving monetary and weaponry aid to the belligerents," the Treasury announced.

Analyst Commentary

A senior analyst, with the International Crisis Group, labeled the actions as a "major" step, noting that "identifying the recruiters is the correct approach".

It was also noted that, the Colombian government recently passed a piece of legislation endorsing the global treaty against mercenarism, designed to limit its citizens' long history in overseas wars and reshape its security approach.

Sean McFate, an expert on mercenaries, advised additional measures, stating that "penalties are required yet incomplete for combating the growing mercenary trade".

"It’s an illicit economy and centered in Dubai, which is relatively sanction-proof," he said. The Emirati government has been repeatedly implicated of providing arms to the militia, an accusation it has denied. "Expect more Colombian mercenaries," the expert cautioned.