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The US government has imposed sanctions on a group of four individuals and four companies alleged of enlisting South American contractors to fight for and train a militia force in Sudan the United States claims of acts of genocide.

Group Makeup

Disclosing the restrictions on this week, the US Treasury Department stated the network was primarily made up of individuals and businesses from Colombia.

Scores of retired Colombian troops have allegedly journeyed to Sudan to fight alongside the RSF paramilitary group, a force accused of severe violations encompassing targeted ethnic killings and widespread kidnappings.

Discovery of Participation

The participation of ex-soldiers was first uncovered last year, following an inquiry which disclosed that over three hundred retired troops had been recruited to fight – an event that prompted an unprecedented apology from Colombia’s foreign ministry.

Former Colombian military have historically been seen as some of the most in-demand contractors globally due to their extensive battlefield experience gleaned from a long-running domestic war, familiarity with Nato equipment, and high-level combat training.

Activities in Sudan

In the conflict, the Colombians have been accused of teaching child soldiers, provided drone warfare training, and fought directly on the frontlines. One source previously stated that working with child soldiers was "terrible and insane" but commented that "sadly, that is the nature of conflict".

Targeted Persons

Among those sanctioned was a dual national, a individual with dual citizenship and ex-soldier operating from the Dubai. The Treasury alleged he played a key part in enlisting and transporting ex-military personnel to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Oliveros, was also sanctioned.

Also on the penalty list was Duque Botero, a individual with Colombian and Spanish citizenship who the Treasury stated oversaw a company implicated in handling funds and payroll for the recruitment operation. "In 2024 and 2025, companies in the United States linked to Duque engaged in numerous wire transfers, amounting to millions," the government release stated.

Colombian national Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the other individual to be targeted, with the company she managed accused of wire transfers linked to Duque and his businesses.

"Washington reiterates its demand for external actors to halt the flow of funding and arms to the belligerents," the agency said in a statement.

Reaction

An expert, from a conflict think tank, labeled the measures as a "major" development, noting that "calling out those who are doing the contracting is the right way to go".

It was also noted that, Colombia recently passed a statute endorsing the International Convention Against the Recruitment and Use of Mercenaries, seeking to reduce its citizens' long history in foreign conflicts and transform domestic defense strategy.

Another expert, a scholar on the subject, urged more caution, stating that "sanctions are necessary but insufficient for addressing rampant mercenarism".

"It’s an illicit economy and centered in the UAE, which is largely insulated from sanctions," he stated. The United Arab Emirates has been repeatedly implicated of arming the RSF, claims it rejects. "More contractors from Colombia are likely," McFate warned.