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The US government has imposed sanctions on a group of four people and four firms alleged of hiring South American contractors to fight for and train a Sudanese paramilitary group which the US alleges of genocidal acts.

Group Makeup

Revealing the measures on Tuesday, the Treasury stated the operation was mostly comprised of Colombian nationals and companies.

Hundreds of ex-soldiers from Colombia have been recruited to go to the conflict in Sudan to fight alongside the RSF paramilitary group, a force accused of terrible atrocities such as ethnically targeted slaughter and widespread kidnappings.

Revelation of Role

The role of these mercenaries initially emerged in 2024, prompted by an report which disclosed that over three hundred retired troops had been recruited to participate in the war – an event that resulted in an unprecedented apology from the Colombian government.

Colombian ex-soldiers have historically been seen as highly prized fighters in conflict zones due to their vast combat experience resulting from years of internal conflict, familiarity with Nato equipment, and superior tactical education.

Reported Actions

In the Sudanese theater, the Colombians have reportedly trained child soldiers, instructed militiamen in drone operation, and fought directly on the frontlines. A mercenary was quoted as saying that training children was "terrible and insane" but added that "sadly, that is the nature of conflict".

Targeted Persons

Among those penalized was Álvaro Andrés Quijano Becerra, a citizen of both Colombia and Italy and ex-soldier located in the Dubai. The government said he had a key part 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 Duque Botero, a dual national who the Treasury stated managed a business accused of handling funds and payroll for the network. "In 2024 and 2025, US-based firms associated with Duque carried out several money transfers, amounting to millions," the Treasury statement noted.

Individual Mónica Muñoz was the other individual to be targeted, with the company she managed accused of money transfers connected to Duque and his businesses.

"The United States again calls on outside forces to halt the flow of financial and military support to the belligerents," the agency announced.

Analyst Commentary

Elizabeth Dickinson, with the International Crisis Group, described the actions as a "very significant" milestone, noting that "targeting the enablers is the correct approach".

Furthermore, the Colombian government ratified a statute approving the International Convention Against the Recruitment and Use of Mercenaries, aiming to curb its citizens' long history in international fights and transform domestic defense strategy.

Sean McFate, an expert on mercenaries, called for greater wariness, saying that "restrictions are needed but not enough for combating the growing mercenary trade".

"It operates in the black market and operating from the Emirates, which is difficult to penalize," he stated. The United Arab Emirates has been repeatedly implicated of supplying weapons to the paramilitary group, claims it rejects. "More contractors from Colombia are likely," he advised.