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The United States has levied restrictions on a network of several persons and entities alleged of hiring South American contractors to support and educate a armed faction in Sudan the United States claims of genocidal acts.

Network Composition

Disclosing the measures on this week, the American treasury stated the network was primarily made up of individuals and businesses from Colombia.

Scores of ex-soldiers from Colombia have been recruited to go to the conflict in Sudan to fight alongside the Sudanese RSF militia, a group accused of horrific war crimes including targeted ethnic killings and mass abductions.

Emergence of Involvement

The role of these mercenaries first came to light in 2024, following an investigation which revealed that hundreds of former soldiers had been contracted to participate in the war – an discovery that resulted in an rare mea culpa from the Colombian government.

Former Colombian military have long been considered as some of the most in-demand contractors globally due to their considerable warzone knowledge gleaned from decades of civil war, knowledge of Western military gear, and high-level combat training.

Activities in Sudan

In Sudan, the contractors have been accused of teaching underage fighters, instructed militiamen in drone operation, and fought directly on the frontlines. An individual involved previously stated that instructing minors was "horrific and irrational" but commented that "unfortunately that’s how war is".

Sanctioned Individuals

Among those targeted was a retired Colombian officer, a individual with dual citizenship and former army officer located in the UAE. The US authorities said he had a central role in hiring and sending mercenaries to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Oliveros, was similarly targeted.

Also on the penalty list was Duque Botero, a dual Colombian-Spanish citizen who officials alleged oversaw a company accused of processing money and salaries for the network. "In 2024 and 2025, American entities connected to Duque conducted several money transfers, worth millions," the official announcement said.

Citizen of Colombia Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the final person to be sanctioned, with the firm she operated said to have conducted financial transactions associated with Duque and his companies.

"Washington reiterates its demand for external actors to halt the flow of monetary and weaponry aid to the warring parties," the department announced.

Expert Analysis

An expert, with the International Crisis Group, described the sanctions as a "major" development, stating that "identifying the recruiters is the proper strategy".

She added that, Colombia has enacted a piece of legislation approving the global treaty against mercenarism, aiming to curb years of participation by its nationals in overseas wars and change national security policy.

Sean McFate, a authority on private military contractors, urged more caution, stating that "restrictions are needed but not enough for dealing with rampant mercenarism".

"This is a shadow economy and based out of Dubai, which is difficult to penalize," he commented. The United Arab Emirates has been widely accused of arming the RSF, allegations it disputes. "Expect more Colombian mercenaries," the expert cautioned.