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The US government has levied restrictions on a network of four people and four firms charged of enlisting South American contractors to support and educate a Sudanese paramilitary group which the US alleges of committing genocide.

Operation Structure

Disclosing the measures on Tuesday, the Treasury stated the network was mostly comprised of Colombian citizens and firms.

Numerous of former Colombian military personnel have been recruited to go to the conflict in Sudan to combat beside the Sudanese RSF militia, a faction implicated in terrible atrocities including targeted ethnic killings and widespread kidnappings.

Revelation of Role

The involvement of Colombian fighters was first uncovered in 2024, after an investigation which found that over three hundred ex-military personnel had been hired to fight – an revelation that led to an unusual statement of regret from Colombia’s foreign ministry.

Former Colombian military have long been considered as some of the most in-demand contractors globally due to their vast combat experience acquired during decades of civil war, training on Nato equipment, and superior tactical education.

Reported Actions

In the conflict, the Colombians have reportedly trained child soldiers, provided drone warfare training, and participated in direct battles. One source was quoted as saying that working with child soldiers was "awful and crazy" but added 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 Dubai. The US authorities said he had a central role in enlisting and transporting ex-military personnel to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Oliveros, was also sanctioned.

Also on the restricted list was Mateo Andrés Duque Botero, a dual national who the Treasury stated managed a business linked to managing finances and payments for the recruitment operation. "Over the past two years, US-based firms connected to Duque conducted numerous wire transfers, amounting to millions," the government release said.

Individual Mónica Muñoz was the other individual to be sanctioned, with the entity she oversaw alleged to have financial transactions connected to Duque and his companies.

"Washington reiterates its demand for foreign parties to stop giving financial and military support to the belligerents," the agency announced.

Reaction

A senior analyst, from a conflict think tank, described the measures as a "highly important" step, saying that "targeting the enablers is the right way to go".

It was also noted that, Bogotá ratified a law ratifying the International Convention Against the Recruitment and Use of Mercenaries, designed to limit years of participation by its nationals in international fights and transform domestic defense strategy.

A mercenary specialist, an expert on mercenaries, called for greater wariness, stating that "sanctions are necessary but insufficient for dealing with rampant mercenarism".

"It’s an illicit economy and based out of the UAE, which is difficult to penalize," he said. The United Arab Emirates has been widely accused of supplying weapons to the paramilitary group, allegations it disputes. "More contractors from Colombia are likely," the expert cautioned.