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The US government has enforced penalties on a group of four individuals and four companies charged of hiring South American contractors to fight for and train a armed faction in Sudan that Washington accuses of genocidal acts.

Group Makeup

Disclosing the measures on this week, the American treasury stated the network was primarily made up of Colombian nationals and companies.

Scores of former Colombian military personnel have been recruited to go to Sudan to fight alongside the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a force accused of severe violations including massacres based on ethnicity and large-scale abductions.

Emergence of Involvement

The involvement of Colombian fighters first came to light last year, prompted by an inquiry which disclosed that over three hundred retired troops had been hired to fight – an discovery that prompted an unusual statement of regret from Colombia’s foreign ministry.

These South American veterans have long been considered as among the world’s most sought-after mercenaries due to their extensive battlefield experience acquired during a long-running domestic war, training on advanced weaponry, and high-level combat training.

Role in the Conflict

In the Sudanese theater, the contractors have allegedly instructed minors, taught fighters to pilot drones, and participated in direct battles. An individual involved was quoted as saying that working with child soldiers was "terrible and insane" but noted that "unfortunately that’s how war is".

Named Entities

Among those targeted was a dual national, a citizen of both Colombia and Italy and former army officer located in the United Arab Emirates. The Treasury said he had a central role in enlisting and transporting ex-military personnel to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was penalized as well.

Also on the restricted list was Mateo Andrés Duque Botero, a dual Colombian-Spanish citizen who authorities say oversaw a company implicated in handling funds and payroll for the network. "In 2024 and 2025, US-based firms linked to Duque conducted multiple financial transactions, amounting to millions," the Treasury statement noted.

Citizen of Colombia Mónica Muñoz was the fourth individual to be sanctioned, with the firm she operated alleged to have wire transfers connected to Duque and his businesses.

"Washington reiterates its demand for outside forces to cease providing monetary and weaponry aid to the combatants," the department stated.

Expert Analysis

An expert, with the International Crisis Group, described the measures as a "major" step, saying that "calling out those who are doing the contracting is the right way to go".

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 overseas wars and change domestic defense strategy.

Another expert, an expert on mercenaries, advised additional measures, saying that "restrictions are needed but not enough for addressing the growing mercenary trade".

"This is a shadow economy and centered in the Emirates, which is relatively sanction-proof," he commented. The UAE has been widely accused of arming the RSF, claims it rejects. "More contractors from Colombia are likely," the expert cautioned.