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The Washington has levied restrictions on a network of four individuals and four companies charged of recruiting Colombian mercenaries to support and educate a Sudanese paramilitary group that Washington accuses of committing genocide.

Network Composition

Announcing the measures on Tuesday, the Treasury stated the network was largely composed of Colombian nationals and companies.

Scores of ex-soldiers from Colombia have reportedly travelled to the Sudanese warzone to combat beside the Sudanese RSF militia, a group accused of terrible atrocities including ethnically targeted slaughter and widespread kidnappings.

Emergence of Involvement

The role of these mercenaries first came to light last year, prompted by an investigation which disclosed that hundreds of former soldiers had been recruited to fight – an event that prompted an rare mea culpa from Colombia’s foreign ministry.

These South American veterans have historically been seen as highly prized fighters in conflict zones due to their vast combat experience gleaned from years of internal conflict, knowledge of advanced weaponry, and high-level combat training.

Activities in Sudan

In Sudan, the contractors have reportedly trained underage fighters, provided drone warfare training, and fought directly on the frontlines. One source was quoted as saying that working with child soldiers was "terrible and insane" but commented that "regrettably, war operates that way".

Named Entities

Among those targeted was a retired Colombian officer, a individual with dual citizenship and ex-soldier based in the United Arab Emirates. The US authorities alleged he played a central role in hiring and sending former Colombian soldiers to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was similarly targeted.

Also on the restricted list was Mateo Duque Botero, a dual national who officials alleged managed a business implicated in managing finances and payments for the recruitment operation. "In 2024 and 2025, companies in the United States connected to Duque carried out numerous wire transfers, totalling millions of US dollars," the official announcement noted.

Colombian national Mónica Muñoz was the other individual to be sanctioned, with the entity she oversaw said to have conducted wire transfers associated with Duque and his companies.

"The US once more urges foreign parties to cease providing monetary and weaponry aid to the combatants," the department announced.

Analyst Commentary

A senior analyst, senior analyst at the International Crisis Group, described the sanctions as a "very significant" milestone, saying that "calling out those who are doing the contracting is the correct approach".

She added that, Colombia ratified a piece of legislation endorsing the International Convention Against the Recruitment and Use of Mercenaries, designed to limit years of participation by its nationals in overseas wars and reshape domestic defense strategy.

Another expert, a scholar on the subject, urged more caution, stating that "restrictions are needed but not enough for combating widespread use of contractors".

"This is a shadow economy and operating from Dubai, which is largely insulated from sanctions," he said. The United Arab Emirates has been frequently alleged of providing arms to the militia, allegations it disputes. "More contractors from Colombia are likely," McFate warned.