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The Washington has levied restrictions on a group of several persons and entities accused of hiring South American contractors to combat alongside and instruct a Sudanese paramilitary group the United States claims of committing genocide.

Group Makeup

Disclosing the measures on Tuesday, the American treasury stated the network was largely composed of individuals and businesses from Colombia.

Numerous of retired Colombian troops have reportedly travelled to Sudan to operate with the Sudanese RSF militia, a faction implicated in severe violations including massacres based on ethnicity and mass abductions.

Discovery of Participation

The participation of ex-soldiers was first uncovered the previous year, after an report which found that more than 300 former soldiers had been contracted to fight – an revelation that led to an unusual statement of regret from Colombia’s foreign ministry.

These South American veterans have widely regarded as among the world’s most sought-after mercenaries due to their vast combat experience acquired during decades of civil war, knowledge of Nato equipment, and high-level combat training.

Role in the Conflict

In Sudan, the Colombians have been accused of teaching underage fighters, instructed militiamen in drone operation, and participated in direct battles. A mercenary remarked that working with child soldiers was "terrible and insane" but commented that "sadly, that is the nature of conflict".

Sanctioned Individuals

Among those targeted was Álvaro Andrés Quijano Becerra, a dual Colombian-Italian national and ex-soldier operating from the United Arab Emirates. The US authorities said he had a central role in hiring and sending former Colombian soldiers to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Oliveros, was similarly targeted.

Also on the restricted list was Mateo Andrés Duque Botero, a dual national who officials alleged ran a firm linked to managing finances and payments for the recruitment operation. "In 2024 and 2025, US-based firms linked to Duque engaged in several money transfers, amounting to millions," the official announcement stated.

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

"The United States again calls on external actors to halt the flow of monetary and weaponry aid to the belligerents," the department announced.

Analyst Commentary

An expert, senior analyst at the International Crisis Group, labeled the actions as a "highly important" step, noting that "targeting the enablers is the right way to go".

It was also noted that, Bogotá recently passed a piece of legislation approving the anti-mercenary convention, seeking to reduce years of participation by its nationals in overseas wars and change its security approach.

A mercenary specialist, an expert on mercenaries, urged more caution, noting that "restrictions are needed but not enough for addressing rampant mercenarism".

"This is a shadow economy and based out of Dubai, which is largely insulated from sanctions," he commented. The United Arab Emirates has been widely accused of arming the RSF, an accusation it has denied. "More contractors from Colombia are likely," the expert cautioned.