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The United States has enforced penalties on a network of four individuals and four companies alleged of hiring South American contractors to fight for and train a Sudanese paramilitary group which the US alleges of committing genocide.

Network Composition

Announcing the measures on Tuesday, the Treasury stated the operation was mostly comprised of Colombian citizens and firms.

Scores of retired Colombian troops have reportedly travelled to the conflict in Sudan to combat beside the Sudanese RSF militia, a force linked to horrific war crimes including targeted ethnic killings and mass abductions.

Discovery of Participation

The role of these mercenaries was first uncovered in 2024, after an inquiry which found that more than 300 ex-military personnel had been hired to participate in the war – an event that led to an unusual statement of regret from the Colombian government.

Colombian ex-soldiers have long been considered as among the world’s most sought-after mercenaries due to their extensive battlefield experience gleaned from years of internal conflict, familiarity with Nato equipment, and superior tactical education.

Activities in Sudan

In Sudan, the contractors have allegedly instructed minors, instructed militiamen in drone operation, and participated in direct battles. An individual involved previously stated that working with child soldiers was "awful and crazy" but added that "regrettably, war operates that way".

Sanctioned Individuals

Among those sanctioned was a retired Colombian officer, a dual Colombian-Italian national and retired Colombian military officer located in the Dubai. The government said he had a pivotal function in enlisting and transporting former Colombian soldiers to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Oliveros, was similarly targeted.

Also on the penalty list was Mateo Andrés Duque Botero, a dual Colombian-Spanish citizen who officials alleged managed a business accused of managing finances and payments for the recruitment operation. "Over the past two years, companies in the United States linked to Duque engaged in several money transfers, totalling millions of US dollars," the Treasury statement said.

Citizen of Colombia Mónica Muñoz was the final person to be penalized, with the firm she operated accused of financial transactions connected to Duque and his operations.

"The United States again calls on foreign parties to halt the flow of financial and military support to the belligerents," the department said in a statement.

Analyst Commentary

Elizabeth Dickinson, from a conflict think tank, described the sanctions as a "highly important" development, stating that "identifying the recruiters is the correct approach".

Furthermore, the Colombian government recently passed a law approving the International Convention Against the Recruitment and Use of Mercenaries, aiming to curb its citizens' long history in overseas wars and change its security approach.

Sean McFate, an expert on mercenaries, advised additional measures, noting that "penalties are required yet incomplete for combating widespread use of contractors".

"This is a shadow economy and operating from Dubai, which is largely insulated from sanctions," he stated. The Emirati government has been widely accused of arming the RSF, claims it rejects. "This trend will probably continue," McFate warned.