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The United States has imposed sanctions on a group of four people and four firms alleged of enlisting South American contractors to fight for and train a militia force in Sudan which the US alleges of genocidal acts.

Network Composition

Revealing the restrictions on Tuesday, the Treasury stated the network was mostly comprised of individuals and businesses from Colombia.

Scores of ex-soldiers from Colombia have allegedly journeyed to Sudan to combat beside the RSF paramilitary group, a group accused of terrible atrocities such as targeted ethnic killings and large-scale abductions.

Emergence of Involvement

The participation of ex-soldiers was first uncovered in 2024, prompted by an investigation which disclosed that over three hundred former soldiers had been hired to participate in the war – an discovery that resulted in an unusual statement of regret from officials in Bogotá.

These South American veterans have historically been seen as some of the most in-demand contractors globally due to their extensive battlefield experience resulting from years of internal conflict, knowledge of advanced weaponry, and high-level combat training.

Reported Actions

In the conflict, the Colombians have been accused of teaching minors, instructed militiamen in drone operation, and fought directly on the frontlines. One source remarked that working with child soldiers was "awful and crazy" but added that "sadly, that is the nature of conflict".

Named Entities

Among those penalized was Álvaro Andrés Quijano Becerra, a individual with dual citizenship and retired Colombian military officer operating from the United Arab Emirates. The US authorities said he had a central role in recruiting and deploying former Colombian soldiers to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Oliveros, was penalized as well.

Also on the restricted list was Mateo Andrés Duque Botero, a dual national who officials alleged oversaw a company linked to processing money and salaries for the network. "In 2024 and 2025, companies in the United States associated with Duque engaged in several money transfers, totalling millions of US dollars," the Treasury statement said.

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

"The US once more urges external actors to cease providing financial and military support to the belligerents," the agency said in a statement.

Expert Analysis

A senior analyst, senior analyst at the International Crisis Group, labeled the actions as a "highly important" step, stating that "targeting the enablers is the proper strategy".

Furthermore, Colombia recently passed a statute ratifying the anti-mercenary convention, seeking to reduce decades of Colombian involvement in overseas wars and change its security approach.

Sean McFate, a authority on private military contractors, advised additional measures, stating that "restrictions are needed but not enough for dealing with rampant mercenarism".

"This is a shadow economy and centered in Dubai, which is relatively sanction-proof," he commented. The United Arab Emirates has been frequently alleged of supplying weapons to the paramilitary group, claims it rejects. "This trend will probably continue," he advised.