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The US government has enforced penalties on a network of several persons and entities alleged of recruiting South American contractors to support and educate a militia force in Sudan that Washington accuses of committing genocide.

Operation Structure

Revealing the measures on Tuesday, the American treasury stated the network was primarily made up of individuals and businesses from Colombia.

Hundreds of retired Colombian troops have been recruited to go to Sudan to combat beside the Sudanese RSF militia, a faction linked to terrible atrocities encompassing massacres based on ethnicity and widespread kidnappings.

Emergence of Involvement

The role of these mercenaries first came to light in 2024, following an investigation which found that more than 300 ex-military personnel had been contracted to engage in combat – an discovery that resulted in an unprecedented apology 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 gleaned from decades of civil war, training on Western military gear, and high-level combat training.

Reported Actions

In the conflict, the Colombians have allegedly instructed underage fighters, instructed militiamen in drone operation, and engaged in frontline combat. An individual involved previously stated that instructing minors was "awful and crazy" but added that "unfortunately that’s how war is".

Targeted Persons

Among those penalized was Álvaro Andrés Quijano Becerra, a dual Colombian-Italian national and retired Colombian military officer located in the UAE. The US authorities said he had a key part in enlisting and transporting ex-military personnel to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was also sanctioned.

Also on the restricted list was Mateo Duque Botero, a dual national who authorities say managed a business accused of managing finances and payments for the network. "In 2024 and 2025, US-based firms linked to Duque engaged in multiple financial transactions, totalling millions of US dollars," the official announcement said.

Colombian national Mónica Muñoz was the other individual to be sanctioned, with the company she managed alleged to have financial transactions associated with Duque and his companies.

"The United States again calls on foreign parties to cease providing financial and military support to the belligerents," the Treasury stated.

Expert Analysis

Elizabeth Dickinson, with the International Crisis Group, called the actions as a "highly important" step, stating that "targeting the enablers is the correct approach".

It was also noted that, Bogotá ratified a piece of legislation approving the anti-mercenary convention, seeking to reduce its citizens' long history in international fights and transform its security approach.

Another expert, a authority on private military contractors, called for greater wariness, saying that "penalties are required yet incomplete for dealing with the growing mercenary trade".

"It’s an illicit economy and based out of the Emirates, which is largely insulated from sanctions," he said. The UAE has been frequently alleged of arming the RSF, an accusation it has denied. "More contractors from Colombia are likely," the expert cautioned.