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The US government has imposed sanctions on a operation of several persons and entities accused of enlisting South American contractors to fight for and train a Sudanese paramilitary group that Washington accuses of committing genocide.

Network Composition

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

Numerous of ex-soldiers from Colombia have allegedly journeyed to Sudan to fight alongside the Sudanese RSF militia, a faction linked to horrific war crimes such as ethnically targeted slaughter and large-scale abductions.

Emergence of Involvement

The role of these mercenaries was first uncovered the previous year, prompted by an inquiry which found that over three hundred ex-military personnel had been hired to fight – an event that resulted in an rare mea culpa from the Colombian government.

Former Colombian military have long been considered as some of the most in-demand contractors globally due to their extensive battlefield experience acquired during a long-running domestic war, familiarity with advanced weaponry, and superior tactical education.

Activities in Sudan

In Sudan, the contractors have allegedly instructed underage fighters, instructed militiamen in drone operation, and fought directly on the frontlines. An individual involved previously stated that instructing minors was "awful and crazy" but commented that "sadly, that is the nature of conflict".

Sanctioned Individuals

Among those penalized was Álvaro Andrés Quijano Becerra, a dual Colombian-Italian national and ex-soldier operating from the Dubai. The government said he had a pivotal function in hiring and sending former Colombian soldiers to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Oliveros, was penalized as well.

Also on the penalty list was Mateo Duque Botero, a dual national who authorities say ran a firm linked to processing money and salaries for the recruitment operation. "In 2024 and 2025, companies in the United States connected to Duque conducted numerous wire transfers, worth millions," the official announcement said.

Colombian national Mónica Muñoz was the final person to be penalized, with the company she managed alleged to have wire transfers linked to Duque and his companies.

"The US once more urges outside forces to cease providing funding and arms to the belligerents," the department stated.

Reaction

An expert, with the International Crisis Group, called the sanctions as a "major" development, stating that "identifying the recruiters is the right way to go".

She added that, Bogotá recently passed a piece of legislation endorsing the International Convention Against the Recruitment and Use of Mercenaries, seeking to reduce years of participation by its nationals in overseas wars and transform national security policy.

Sean McFate, a authority on private military contractors, called for greater wariness, noting that "restrictions are needed but not enough for combating widespread use of contractors".

"It operates in the black market and based out of the UAE, which is difficult to penalize," he commented. The UAE has been widely accused of arming the RSF, claims it rejects. "More contractors from Colombia are likely," he advised.