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The United States has levied restrictions on a network of four people and four firms charged of enlisting South American contractors to fight for and train a militia force in Sudan the United States claims of committing genocide.

Group Makeup

Revealing the sanctions on Tuesday, the Treasury stated the scheme was largely composed of individuals and businesses from Colombia.

Hundreds of ex-soldiers from Colombia have allegedly journeyed to Sudan to combat beside the Sudanese RSF militia, a faction implicated in horrific war crimes such as ethnically targeted slaughter and widespread kidnappings.

Discovery of Participation

The participation of ex-soldiers initially emerged last year, prompted by an investigation which revealed that hundreds of ex-military personnel had been hired to participate in the war – an event that resulted in an unusual statement of regret from Colombia’s foreign ministry.

Colombian ex-soldiers have widely regarded as highly prized fighters in conflict zones due to their extensive battlefield experience acquired during a long-running domestic war, training on Nato equipment, and high-level combat training.

Activities in Sudan

In the conflict, the Colombians have been accused of teaching minors, taught fighters to pilot drones, and engaged in frontline combat. One source was quoted as saying that training children was "terrible and insane" but commented that "unfortunately that’s how war is".

Targeted Persons

Among those penalized was Álvaro Andrés Quijano Becerra, a citizen of both Colombia and Italy and retired Colombian military officer located in the United Arab Emirates. The Treasury said he had a pivotal function in recruiting and deploying former Colombian soldiers to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was similarly targeted.

Also on the restricted list was Mateo Duque Botero, a individual with Colombian and Spanish citizenship who authorities say managed a business implicated in managing finances and payments for the recruitment operation. "In 2024 and 2025, US-based firms connected to Duque engaged in numerous wire transfers, worth millions," the official announcement stated.

Colombian national Mónica Muñoz was the fourth individual to be targeted, with the firm she operated accused of wire transfers connected to Duque and his operations.

"The US once more urges external actors to halt the flow of financial and military support to the combatants," the Treasury stated.

Expert Analysis

Elizabeth Dickinson, senior analyst at the International Crisis Group, called the measures as a "highly important" milestone, stating that "calling out those who are doing the contracting is the proper strategy".

It was also noted that, the Colombian government recently passed a piece of legislation ratifying the International Convention Against the Recruitment and Use of Mercenaries, aiming to curb decades of Colombian involvement in overseas wars and change its security approach.

Sean McFate, a authority on private military contractors, advised additional measures, saying that "restrictions are needed but not enough for dealing with the growing mercenary trade".

"It operates in the black market and centered in the Emirates, which is difficult to penalize," he said. The United Arab Emirates has been frequently alleged of supplying weapons to the paramilitary group, an accusation it has denied. "Expect more Colombian mercenaries," McFate warned.