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The US government has imposed sanctions on a network of four individuals and four companies charged of recruiting South American contractors to support and educate a militia force in Sudan that Washington accuses of genocidal acts.

Network Composition

Revealing the sanctions on Tuesday, the US Treasury Department stated the operation was largely composed of individuals and businesses from Colombia.

Scores of ex-soldiers from Colombia have been recruited to go to Sudan to fight alongside the Sudanese RSF militia, a faction linked to horrific war crimes encompassing targeted ethnic killings and widespread kidnappings.

Discovery of Participation

The role of these mercenaries first came to light last year, after an inquiry which disclosed that over three hundred former soldiers had been recruited to participate in the war – an event that resulted in an unusual statement of regret from the Colombian government.

Former Colombian military have historically been seen as among the world’s most sought-after mercenaries due to their considerable warzone knowledge resulting from decades of civil war, training on advanced weaponry, and elite military instruction.

Reported Actions

In the conflict, the mercenaries have been accused of teaching minors, provided drone warfare training, and engaged in frontline combat. An individual involved remarked that instructing minors was "awful and crazy" but commented that "unfortunately that’s how war is".

Targeted Persons

Among those sanctioned was a dual national, a individual with dual citizenship and ex-soldier operating from the Dubai. The US authorities alleged he played a key part in hiring and sending mercenaries to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was penalized as well.

Also on the penalty list was Duque Botero, a dual national who officials alleged managed a business implicated in handling funds and payroll for the recruitment operation. "In 2024 and 2025, companies in the United States associated with Duque conducted numerous wire transfers, worth millions," the government release stated.

Individual Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the other individual to be sanctioned, with the firm she operated said to have conducted money transfers linked to Duque and his businesses.

"Washington reiterates its demand for external actors to stop giving financial and military support to the warring parties," the department announced.

Reaction

An expert, from a conflict think tank, labeled the sanctions as a "major" step, stating that "calling out those who are doing the contracting is the correct approach".

It was also noted that, Colombia recently passed a statute endorsing the anti-mercenary convention, seeking to reduce years of participation by its nationals in foreign conflicts and change its security approach.

A mercenary specialist, a scholar on the subject, advised additional measures, stating that "sanctions are necessary but insufficient for combating widespread use of contractors".

"It operates in the black market and operating from the UAE, which is difficult to penalize," he stated. The Emirati government has been widely accused of providing arms to the militia, allegations it disputes. "This trend will probably continue," McFate warned.