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The US government has imposed sanctions on a network of four people and four firms accused of enlisting South American contractors to combat alongside and instruct a armed faction in Sudan which the US alleges of genocidal acts.

Network Composition

Revealing the sanctions on Tuesday, the American treasury stated the network was mostly comprised of Colombian nationals and companies.

Scores of former Colombian military personnel have reportedly travelled to the Sudanese warzone to operate with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a faction accused of terrible atrocities including massacres based on ethnicity and widespread kidnappings.

Emergence of Involvement

The participation of ex-soldiers first came to light in 2024, following an report which revealed that more than 300 ex-military personnel had been contracted to fight – an revelation that resulted in an rare mea culpa from the Colombian government.

These South American veterans have historically been seen as among the world’s most sought-after mercenaries due to their extensive battlefield experience gleaned from years of internal conflict, knowledge of advanced weaponry, and high-level combat training.

Activities in Sudan

In the conflict, the mercenaries have allegedly instructed minors, provided drone warfare training, and engaged in frontline combat. An individual involved previously stated that instructing minors was "terrible and insane" but commented that "unfortunately that’s how war is".

Targeted Persons

Among those targeted was a retired Colombian officer, a citizen of both Colombia and Italy and former army officer based in the United Arab Emirates. The US authorities alleged he played a central role in enlisting and transporting mercenaries to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was similarly targeted.

Also on the restricted list was Duque Botero, a individual with Colombian and Spanish citizenship who authorities say oversaw a company implicated in handling funds and payroll for the network. "Over the past two years, US-based firms connected to Duque carried out multiple financial transactions, amounting to millions," the Treasury statement said.

Colombian national Mónica Muñoz was the fourth individual to be penalized, with the company she managed accused of financial transactions linked to Duque and his companies.

"The United States again calls on foreign parties to stop giving monetary and weaponry aid to the combatants," the agency announced.

Analyst Commentary

A senior analyst, from a conflict think tank, labeled the sanctions as a "highly important" milestone, saying that "identifying the recruiters is the proper strategy".

It was also noted that, the Colombian government ratified a statute endorsing the anti-mercenary convention, designed to limit its citizens' long history in foreign conflicts and reshape domestic defense strategy.

Sean McFate, an expert on mercenaries, advised additional measures, saying that "penalties are required yet incomplete for combating the growing mercenary trade".

"This is a shadow economy and centered in the Emirates, which is relatively sanction-proof," he stated. The UAE has been frequently alleged of arming the RSF, an accusation it has denied. "More contractors from Colombia are likely," the expert cautioned.