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The US government has levied restrictions on a network of four individuals and four companies charged of enlisting South American contractors to support and educate a armed faction in Sudan that Washington accuses of acts of genocide.

Operation Structure

Disclosing the sanctions on this week, the US Treasury Department stated the operation was mostly comprised of Colombian citizens and firms.

Numerous of former Colombian military personnel have reportedly travelled to Sudan to operate with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a faction implicated in severe violations such as massacres based on ethnicity and widespread kidnappings.

Discovery of Participation

The participation of ex-soldiers initially emerged last year, prompted by an report which disclosed that more than 300 ex-military personnel had been recruited to participate in the war – an revelation that prompted an unprecedented apology from Colombia’s foreign ministry.

Colombian ex-soldiers have widely regarded as among the world’s most sought-after mercenaries due to their considerable warzone knowledge acquired during decades of civil war, training on Nato equipment, and superior tactical education.

Role in the Conflict

In Sudan, the Colombians have reportedly trained underage fighters, taught fighters to pilot drones, and fought directly on the frontlines. One source was quoted as saying that working with child soldiers was "terrible and insane" but commented that "unfortunately that’s how war is".

Sanctioned Individuals

Among those sanctioned was a dual national, a dual Colombian-Italian national and ex-soldier based in the UAE. The Treasury accused him a pivotal function in recruiting and deploying mercenaries to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Oliveros, was penalized as well.

Also on the sanctions list was Duque Botero, a dual Colombian-Spanish citizen who authorities say oversaw a company accused of managing finances and payments for the recruitment operation. "In 2024 and 2025, US-based firms associated with Duque conducted numerous wire transfers, worth millions," the government release stated.

Individual Mónica Muñoz was the other individual to be targeted, with the firm she operated accused of money transfers associated with Duque and his companies.

"The US once more urges foreign parties to cease providing funding and arms to the belligerents," the agency stated.

Reaction

Elizabeth Dickinson, from a conflict think tank, labeled the actions as a "very significant" milestone, saying that "identifying the recruiters is the correct approach".

She added that, Bogotá recently passed a statute approving 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, urged more caution, stating that "penalties are required yet incomplete for addressing widespread use of contractors".

"It’s an illicit economy and centered in the Emirates, which is difficult to penalize," he commented. The Emirati government has been repeatedly implicated of providing arms to the militia, an accusation it has denied. "More contractors from Colombia are likely," the expert cautioned.