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The Washington has levied restrictions on a operation of four individuals and four companies charged of recruiting South American contractors to combat alongside and instruct a Sudanese paramilitary group the United States claims of committing genocide.

Group Makeup

Disclosing the restrictions on Tuesday, the Treasury stated the network was primarily made up of individuals and businesses from Colombia.

Scores of ex-soldiers from Colombia have reportedly travelled to Sudan to operate with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a group linked to terrible atrocities including targeted ethnic killings and large-scale abductions.

Discovery of Participation

The role of these mercenaries first came to light the previous year, after an report which revealed that over three hundred ex-military personnel had been contracted to participate in the war – an discovery that prompted an unprecedented apology from the Colombian government.

Former Colombian military have long been considered as among the world’s most sought-after mercenaries due to their considerable warzone knowledge resulting from years of internal conflict, familiarity with advanced weaponry, and elite military instruction.

Activities in Sudan

In the Sudanese theater, the contractors have allegedly instructed underage fighters, provided drone warfare training, and participated in direct battles. An individual involved was quoted as saying that working with child soldiers was "awful and crazy" but added that "sadly, that is the nature of conflict".

Named Entities

Among those penalized was a retired Colombian officer, a individual with dual citizenship and ex-soldier operating from the Dubai. The Treasury said he had a pivotal function in recruiting and deploying former Colombian soldiers to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Oliveros, was similarly targeted.

Also on the sanctions list was Mateo Duque Botero, a dual Colombian-Spanish citizen who authorities say managed a business accused of handling funds and payroll for the scheme. "In 2024 and 2025, US-based firms linked to Duque engaged in multiple financial transactions, amounting to millions," the Treasury statement noted.

Colombian national Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the final person to be targeted, with the firm she operated accused of wire transfers associated with Duque and his operations.

"The US once more urges outside forces to cease providing financial and military support to the combatants," the agency said in a statement.

Analyst Commentary

An expert, from a conflict think tank, called the actions as a "major" step, noting that "targeting the enablers is the correct approach".

It was also noted that, Colombia ratified a law endorsing the International Convention Against the Recruitment and Use of Mercenaries, seeking to reduce its citizens' long history in foreign conflicts and change national security policy.

Another expert, a scholar on the subject, urged more caution, stating that "sanctions are necessary but insufficient for combating rampant mercenarism".

"This is a shadow economy and operating from the Emirates, which is largely insulated from sanctions," he stated. The Emirati government has been frequently alleged of providing arms to the militia, allegations it disputes. "Expect more Colombian mercenaries," McFate warned.