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The Washington has imposed sanctions on a network of several persons and entities alleged of enlisting South American contractors to fight for and train a armed faction in Sudan that Washington accuses of committing genocide.

Group Makeup

Revealing the sanctions on this week, the Treasury stated the network was largely composed of individuals and businesses from Colombia.

Hundreds of ex-soldiers from Colombia have been recruited to go to the conflict in Sudan to operate with the RSF paramilitary group, a force linked to terrible atrocities including ethnically targeted slaughter and mass abductions.

Revelation of Role

The participation of ex-soldiers first came to light in 2024, prompted by an investigation which disclosed that more than 300 retired troops had been recruited to fight – an revelation that led to an rare mea culpa from Colombia’s foreign ministry.

Former Colombian military have widely regarded as some of the most in-demand contractors globally due to their vast combat experience resulting from a long-running domestic war, training on Nato equipment, and high-level combat training.

Reported Actions

In the conflict, the Colombians have reportedly trained minors, provided drone warfare training, and fought directly on the frontlines. An individual involved previously stated that instructing minors was "horrific and irrational" but commented that "regrettably, war operates that way".

Named Entities

Among those targeted was a dual national, a citizen of both Colombia and Italy and former army officer operating from the Dubai. The US authorities said he had a key part in hiring and sending former Colombian soldiers to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was penalized as well.

Also on the penalty list was Duque Botero, a dual national who authorities say managed a business accused of processing money and salaries for the recruitment operation. "Over the past two years, US-based firms associated with Duque engaged in multiple financial transactions, amounting to millions," the government release said.

Individual Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the fourth individual to be penalized, with the entity she oversaw alleged to have financial transactions linked to Duque and his companies.

"The United States again calls on external actors to stop giving monetary and weaponry aid to the combatants," the department announced.

Reaction

Elizabeth Dickinson, from a conflict think tank, called the actions as a "highly important" development, noting that "targeting the enablers is the proper strategy".

It was also noted that, Bogotá recently passed a law endorsing the anti-mercenary convention, aiming to curb its citizens' long history in foreign conflicts and reshape its security approach.

Sean McFate, an expert on mercenaries, urged more caution, stating that "penalties are required yet incomplete for addressing the growing mercenary trade".

"This is a shadow economy and centered in the Emirates, which is difficult to penalize," he said. The UAE has been frequently alleged of providing arms to the militia, claims it rejects. "Expect more Colombian mercenaries," the expert cautioned.