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The US government has levied restrictions on a group of four people and four firms accused of hiring South American contractors to support and educate a Sudanese paramilitary group which the US alleges of committing genocide.

Group Makeup

Announcing the sanctions on this week, the Treasury stated the network was mostly comprised of individuals and businesses from Colombia.

Numerous of ex-soldiers from Colombia have reportedly travelled to the Sudanese warzone to fight alongside the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a group linked to severe violations encompassing massacres based on ethnicity and widespread kidnappings.

Emergence of Involvement

The role of these mercenaries initially emerged the previous year, following an report which found that more than 300 ex-military personnel had been hired to participate in the war – an event that resulted in an unusual statement of regret from the Colombian government.

Colombian ex-soldiers have widely regarded as among the world’s most sought-after mercenaries due to their vast combat experience gleaned from years of internal conflict, familiarity with Nato equipment, and elite military instruction.

Role in the Conflict

In Sudan, the contractors have reportedly trained child soldiers, taught fighters to pilot drones, and participated in direct battles. One source previously stated that working with child soldiers was "awful and crazy" but commented that "regrettably, war operates that way".

Named Entities

Among those targeted was a retired Colombian officer, a dual Colombian-Italian national and retired Colombian military officer based in the Dubai. The US authorities alleged he played a key part in enlisting and transporting former Colombian soldiers to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was penalized as well.

Also on the penalty list was Mateo Duque Botero, a dual Colombian-Spanish citizen who authorities say oversaw a company accused of handling funds and payroll for the recruitment operation. "In 2024 and 2025, US-based firms linked to Duque engaged in numerous wire transfers, worth millions," the Treasury statement stated.

Citizen of Colombia Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the fourth individual to be targeted, with the entity she oversaw accused of wire transfers connected to Duque and his operations.

"The US once more urges external actors to cease providing financial and military support to the combatants," the Treasury announced.

Reaction

An expert, from a conflict think tank, labeled the measures as a "major" milestone, stating that "identifying the recruiters is the proper strategy".

It was also noted that, Colombia has enacted a piece of legislation endorsing the anti-mercenary convention, aiming to curb decades of Colombian involvement in international fights and transform domestic defense strategy.

A mercenary specialist, a scholar on the subject, advised additional measures, saying that "restrictions are needed but not enough for addressing widespread use of contractors".

"This is a shadow economy and operating from the Emirates, which is difficult to penalize," he stated. The UAE has been frequently alleged of supplying weapons to the paramilitary group, an accusation it has denied. "This trend will probably continue," the expert cautioned.