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The Washington has enforced penalties on a group of four people and four firms alleged of recruiting South American contractors to fight for and train a armed faction in Sudan that Washington accuses of genocidal acts.

Group Makeup

Disclosing the sanctions on this week, the American treasury stated the network was primarily made up of individuals and businesses from Colombia.

Numerous of former Colombian military personnel have allegedly journeyed to the Sudanese warzone to operate with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a force accused of horrific war crimes such as targeted ethnic killings and mass abductions.

Discovery of Participation

The role of these mercenaries first came to light last year, prompted by an inquiry which disclosed that hundreds of retired troops had been hired to fight – an revelation that resulted in an rare mea culpa from the Colombian government.

Colombian ex-soldiers have historically been seen as among the world’s most sought-after mercenaries due to their vast combat experience resulting from years of internal conflict, knowledge of Western military gear, and high-level combat training.

Role in the Conflict

In Sudan, the Colombians have allegedly instructed underage fighters, taught fighters to pilot drones, and fought directly on the frontlines. An individual involved previously stated that instructing minors was "terrible and insane" but commented that "regrettably, war operates that way".

Sanctioned Individuals

Among those targeted was a retired Colombian officer, a citizen of both Colombia and Italy and ex-soldier located in the United Arab Emirates. The US authorities alleged he played a key part in recruiting and deploying mercenaries to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Oliveros, was similarly targeted.

Also on the penalty list was Mateo Duque Botero, a dual Colombian-Spanish citizen who officials alleged ran a firm implicated in processing money and salaries for the network. "In 2024 and 2025, American entities associated with Duque carried out several money transfers, totalling millions of US dollars," the Treasury statement stated.

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

"Washington reiterates its demand for outside forces to stop giving funding and arms to the belligerents," the Treasury said in a statement.

Analyst Commentary

An expert, senior analyst at the International Crisis Group, called the actions as a "very significant" step, noting that "identifying the recruiters is the right way to go".

She added that, Bogotá recently passed a statute endorsing the anti-mercenary convention, aiming to curb years of participation by its nationals in overseas wars and change its security approach.

Sean McFate, a authority on private military contractors, advised additional measures, saying that "penalties are required yet incomplete for addressing the growing mercenary trade".

"It’s an illicit economy and centered in the Emirates, which is difficult to penalize," 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.