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The Washington has levied restrictions on a network of several persons and entities alleged of hiring Colombian mercenaries to fight for and train a militia force in Sudan the United States claims of acts of genocide.

Network Composition

Announcing the measures on this week, the Treasury stated the network was mostly comprised of Colombian citizens and firms.

Hundreds of retired Colombian troops have reportedly travelled to Sudan to operate with the Sudanese RSF militia, a group linked to terrible atrocities including targeted ethnic killings and large-scale abductions.

Revelation of Role

The role of these mercenaries was first uncovered in 2024, prompted by an inquiry which revealed that over three hundred ex-military personnel had been contracted to participate in the war – an revelation that prompted an rare mea culpa from the Colombian government.

These South American veterans have historically been seen as some of the most in-demand contractors globally due to their vast combat experience resulting from decades of civil war, knowledge of Western military gear, and elite military instruction.

Activities in Sudan

In Sudan, the mercenaries have reportedly trained minors, instructed militiamen in drone operation, and participated in direct battles. A mercenary was quoted as saying that training children was "awful and crazy" but added that "regrettably, war operates that way".

Sanctioned Individuals

Among those sanctioned was a dual national, a dual Colombian-Italian national and former army officer located in the Dubai. The government accused him a pivotal function in hiring and sending ex-military personnel to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was similarly targeted.

Also on the restricted list was Mateo Duque Botero, a individual with Colombian and Spanish citizenship who authorities say managed a business accused of managing finances and payments for the scheme. "Over the past two years, American entities associated with Duque engaged in numerous wire transfers, totalling millions of US dollars," the Treasury statement said.

Citizen of Colombia Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the final person to be penalized, with the firm she operated accused of money transfers linked to Duque and his operations.

"The United States again calls on foreign parties to stop giving monetary and weaponry aid to the combatants," the agency announced.

Analyst Commentary

An expert, senior analyst at the International Crisis Group, described the sanctions as a "highly important" step, noting that "calling out those who are doing the contracting is the right way to go".

It was also noted that, Bogotá has enacted a statute ratifying the anti-mercenary convention, seeking to reduce its citizens' long history in international fights and reshape its security approach.

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

"This is a shadow economy and operating from the UAE, which is largely insulated from sanctions," he said. The Emirati government has been frequently alleged of supplying weapons to the paramilitary group, claims it rejects. "More contractors from Colombia are likely," the expert cautioned.