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The Washington has levied restrictions on a group of four individuals and four companies alleged of hiring South American contractors to support and educate a militia force in Sudan which the US alleges of genocidal acts.

Network Composition

Disclosing the measures on this week, the US Treasury Department stated the network was mostly comprised of individuals and businesses from Colombia.

Hundreds of former Colombian military personnel have been recruited to go to the Sudanese warzone to combat beside the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a faction implicated in severe violations such as targeted ethnic killings and mass abductions.

Discovery of Participation

The involvement of Colombian fighters initially emerged in 2024, prompted by an report which found that more than 300 ex-military personnel had been contracted to fight – an event that led to an unusual statement of regret from officials in Bogotá.

Former Colombian military have widely regarded as highly prized fighters in conflict zones due to their considerable warzone knowledge gleaned from a long-running domestic war, training on advanced weaponry, and high-level combat training.

Reported Actions

In the conflict, the mercenaries have reportedly trained child soldiers, instructed militiamen in drone operation, and participated in direct battles. One source was quoted as saying that instructing minors was "terrible and insane" but added that "sadly, that is the nature of conflict".

Named Entities

Among those targeted was a dual national, a individual with dual citizenship and retired Colombian military officer operating from the UAE. The government said he had a pivotal function in recruiting and deploying former Colombian soldiers to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Oliveros, was penalized as well.

Also on the restricted list was Mateo Andrés Duque Botero, a dual national who the Treasury stated managed a business implicated in managing finances and payments for the scheme. "Over the past two years, US-based firms associated with Duque carried out multiple financial transactions, worth millions," the Treasury statement said.

Colombian national Mónica Muñoz was the fourth individual to be penalized, with the company she managed alleged to have money transfers linked to Duque and his operations.

"Washington reiterates its demand for foreign parties to cease providing funding and arms to the warring parties," the agency stated.

Analyst Commentary

An expert, from a conflict think tank, called the actions as a "very significant" milestone, stating that "targeting the enablers is the proper strategy".

She added that, Bogotá ratified a piece of legislation approving the International Convention Against the Recruitment and Use of Mercenaries, seeking to reduce decades of Colombian involvement in international fights and reshape its security approach.

Sean McFate, a scholar on the subject, advised additional measures, saying that "penalties are required yet incomplete for dealing with the growing mercenary trade".

"It operates in the black market and centered in Dubai, which is relatively sanction-proof," he stated. The UAE has been repeatedly implicated of supplying weapons to the paramilitary group, an accusation it has denied. "Expect more Colombian mercenaries," he advised.