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The US government has levied restrictions on a network of four individuals and four companies alleged of enlisting South American contractors to support and educate a Sudanese paramilitary group that Washington accuses of acts of genocide.

Network Composition

Announcing the restrictions on this week, the American treasury stated the scheme was mostly comprised of individuals and businesses from Colombia.

Numerous of ex-soldiers from Colombia have reportedly travelled to the conflict in Sudan to combat beside the Sudanese RSF militia, a faction linked to severe violations including massacres based on ethnicity and mass abductions.

Discovery of Participation

The involvement of Colombian fighters was first uncovered in 2024, after an investigation which revealed that more than 300 ex-military personnel had been hired to fight – an revelation that prompted an unprecedented apology from officials in Bogotá.

Former Colombian military have widely regarded as highly prized fighters in conflict zones due to their vast combat experience resulting from decades of civil war, familiarity with Nato equipment, and high-level combat training.

Role in the Conflict

In the conflict, the contractors have reportedly trained underage fighters, taught fighters to pilot drones, and participated in direct battles. One source previously stated that instructing minors was "horrific and irrational" but noted that "unfortunately that’s how war is".

Targeted Persons

Among those penalized was a dual national, a citizen of both Colombia and Italy and retired Colombian military officer operating from the UAE. The US authorities accused him a central role in recruiting and deploying former Colombian soldiers to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was also sanctioned.

Also on the restricted list was Mateo Duque Botero, a dual Colombian-Spanish citizen who the Treasury stated managed a business linked to processing money and salaries for the scheme. "Recently, American entities associated with Duque engaged in numerous wire transfers, totalling millions of US dollars," the Treasury statement stated.

Citizen of Colombia Mónica Muñoz was the final person to be targeted, with the company she managed alleged to have wire transfers connected to Duque and his operations.

"The US once more urges foreign parties to stop giving financial and military support to the warring parties," the department stated.

Reaction

A senior analyst, from a conflict think tank, called the sanctions as a "major" step, saying that "calling out those who are doing the contracting is the proper strategy".

It was also noted that, Bogotá recently passed a statute ratifying the global treaty against mercenarism, aiming to curb years of participation by its nationals in overseas wars and reshape domestic defense strategy.

Sean McFate, a authority on private military contractors, called for greater wariness, noting that "restrictions are needed but not enough for addressing the growing mercenary trade".

"It’s an illicit economy and centered in the Emirates, which is largely insulated from sanctions," he said. The Emirati government has been frequently alleged of arming the RSF, allegations it disputes. "More contractors from Colombia are likely," McFate warned.