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The US government has enforced penalties on a network of several persons and entities accused of hiring South American contractors to combat alongside and instruct a armed faction in Sudan which the US alleges of committing genocide.

Network Composition

Disclosing the measures on this week, the American treasury stated the operation was largely composed of individuals and businesses from Colombia.

Scores of ex-soldiers from Colombia have been recruited to go to the conflict in Sudan to operate with the Sudanese RSF militia, a force linked to severe violations such as targeted ethnic killings and widespread kidnappings.

Emergence of Involvement

The participation of ex-soldiers was first uncovered the previous year, prompted by an investigation which revealed that hundreds of former soldiers had been hired to engage in combat – an revelation that resulted in an unprecedented apology from officials in Bogotá.

Former Colombian military have widely regarded as highly prized fighters in conflict zones due to their extensive battlefield experience resulting from years of internal conflict, training on Nato equipment, and superior tactical education.

Activities in Sudan

In Sudan, the Colombians have been accused of teaching underage fighters, instructed militiamen in drone operation, and fought directly on the frontlines. One source previously stated that instructing minors was "terrible and insane" but noted that "regrettably, war operates that way".

Named Entities

Among those targeted was a dual national, a individual with dual citizenship and retired Colombian military officer based in the Dubai. The Treasury said he had a central role in enlisting and transporting ex-military personnel to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Oliveros, was penalized as well.

Also on the penalty list was Mateo Duque Botero, a dual Colombian-Spanish citizen who officials alleged oversaw a company implicated in managing finances and payments for the network. "In 2024 and 2025, American entities linked to Duque carried out several money transfers, totalling millions of US dollars," the Treasury statement said.

Citizen of Colombia Mónica Muñoz was the fourth individual to be targeted, with the company she managed accused of wire transfers associated with Duque and his businesses.

"The United States again calls on foreign parties to stop giving monetary and weaponry aid to the belligerents," the agency announced.

Analyst Commentary

An expert, senior analyst at the International Crisis Group, described the measures as a "highly important" milestone, stating that "targeting the enablers is the proper strategy".

It was also noted that, Colombia recently passed a piece of legislation approving the anti-mercenary convention, aiming to curb decades of Colombian involvement in overseas wars and transform national security policy.

A mercenary specialist, a authority on private military contractors, called for greater wariness, saying that "restrictions are needed but not enough for dealing with rampant mercenarism".

"It operates in the black market and based out of Dubai, which is largely insulated from sanctions," he stated. The Emirati government has been frequently alleged of providing arms to the militia, claims it rejects. "More contractors from Colombia are likely," he advised.