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The United States has imposed sanctions on a operation 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 acts of genocide.

Group Makeup

Revealing the sanctions on this week, the American treasury stated the network was largely composed of Colombian nationals and companies.

Scores of former Colombian military personnel have allegedly journeyed to the conflict in Sudan to combat beside the Sudanese RSF militia, a group accused of severe violations such as massacres based on ethnicity and mass abductions.

Revelation of Role

The participation of ex-soldiers was first uncovered last year, after an report which disclosed that over three hundred retired troops had been hired to engage in combat – an event that resulted in an unusual statement of regret from officials in Bogotá.

These South American veterans have long been considered as some of the most in-demand contractors globally due to their vast combat experience gleaned from a long-running domestic war, familiarity with Nato equipment, and high-level combat training.

Reported Actions

In Sudan, the Colombians have reportedly trained child soldiers, taught fighters to pilot drones, and participated in direct battles. One source remarked that training children was "awful and crazy" but noted that "sadly, that is the nature of conflict".

Sanctioned Individuals

Among those penalized was a retired Colombian officer, a individual with dual citizenship and retired Colombian military officer located in the United Arab Emirates. The Treasury accused him a pivotal function in enlisting and transporting mercenaries to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was also sanctioned.

Also on the restricted list was Duque Botero, a individual with Colombian and Spanish citizenship who authorities say oversaw a company implicated in managing finances and payments for the network. "In 2024 and 2025, American entities connected to Duque carried out multiple financial transactions, worth millions," the government release stated.

Colombian national Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the fourth individual to be targeted, with the firm she operated alleged to have wire transfers linked to Duque and his companies.

"The US once more urges outside forces to stop giving funding and arms to the warring parties," the Treasury stated.

Reaction

Elizabeth Dickinson, from a conflict think tank, described the actions as a "very significant" milestone, noting that "calling out those who are doing the contracting is the proper strategy".

It was also noted that, the Colombian government recently passed a piece of legislation approving the global treaty against mercenarism, seeking to reduce its citizens' long history in overseas wars and change its security approach.

Sean McFate, a scholar on the subject, urged more caution, noting that "penalties are required yet incomplete for dealing with the growing mercenary trade".

"It operates in the black market and operating from Dubai, which is relatively sanction-proof," he said. The UAE has been frequently alleged of arming the RSF, allegations it disputes. "More contractors from Colombia are likely," the expert cautioned.