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The United States has levied restrictions on a network of several persons and entities accused of hiring South American contractors to fight for and train a armed faction in Sudan which the US alleges of committing genocide.

Operation Structure

Disclosing the measures on Tuesday, the Treasury stated the network was mostly comprised of Colombian nationals and companies.

Numerous of retired Colombian troops have been recruited to go to the conflict in Sudan to combat beside the RSF paramilitary group, a group accused of severe violations encompassing ethnically targeted slaughter and large-scale abductions.

Emergence of Involvement

The involvement of Colombian fighters initially emerged in 2024, after an investigation which found that more than 300 former soldiers had been contracted to fight – an discovery that led to an unusual statement of regret from the Colombian government.

Former Colombian military have historically been seen as highly prized fighters in conflict zones due to their considerable warzone knowledge resulting from a long-running domestic war, training on advanced weaponry, and elite military instruction.

Role in the Conflict

In Sudan, the mercenaries have allegedly instructed minors, taught fighters to pilot drones, and participated in direct battles. An individual involved was quoted as saying that training children was "awful and crazy" but noted that "regrettably, war operates that way".

Targeted Persons

Among those targeted was a retired Colombian officer, a citizen of both Colombia and Italy and ex-soldier operating from the Dubai. The Treasury alleged he played a pivotal function in hiring and sending former Colombian soldiers to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Oliveros, was penalized as well.

Also on the sanctions list was Mateo Duque Botero, a individual with Colombian and Spanish citizenship who authorities say oversaw a company accused of handling funds and payroll for the recruitment operation. "Recently, American entities associated with Duque carried out several money transfers, totalling millions of US dollars," the Treasury statement stated.

Citizen of Colombia Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the other individual to be targeted, with the firm she operated said to have conducted money transfers associated with Duque and his companies.

"The US once more urges outside forces to cease providing monetary and weaponry aid to the combatants," the Treasury said in a statement.

Expert Analysis

An expert, with the International Crisis Group, described the sanctions as a "major" development, saying that "calling out those who are doing the contracting is the right way to go".

She added that, Colombia recently passed a statute approving the global treaty against mercenarism, designed to limit years of participation by its nationals in overseas wars and transform its security approach.

Sean McFate, an expert on mercenaries, advised additional measures, stating that "sanctions are necessary but insufficient for combating widespread use of contractors".

"It operates in the black market and centered in Dubai, which is difficult to penalize," he said. The Emirati government has been repeatedly implicated of providing arms to the militia, an accusation it has denied. "This trend will probably continue," McFate warned.