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The US government has enforced penalties on a network of four people and four firms accused of enlisting South American contractors to fight for and train a militia force in Sudan that Washington accuses of committing genocide.

Network Composition

Revealing the restrictions on this week, the US Treasury Department stated the network was primarily made up of Colombian nationals and companies.

Hundreds of retired Colombian troops have allegedly journeyed to the Sudanese warzone to operate with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a faction linked to severe violations encompassing ethnically targeted slaughter and widespread kidnappings.

Emergence of Involvement

The role of these mercenaries initially emerged last year, following an inquiry which revealed that more than 300 ex-military personnel had been contracted to fight – an discovery that led to an unusual statement of regret from Colombia’s foreign ministry.

Colombian ex-soldiers have historically been seen as among the world’s most sought-after mercenaries due to their extensive battlefield experience acquired during decades of civil war, familiarity with Western military gear, and superior tactical education.

Reported Actions

In Sudan, the mercenaries have allegedly instructed minors, provided drone warfare training, and fought directly on the frontlines. A mercenary remarked that instructing minors was "terrible and insane" but added that "sadly, that is the nature of conflict".

Sanctioned Individuals

Among those penalized was Álvaro Andrés Quijano Becerra, a citizen of both Colombia and Italy and retired Colombian military officer located in the UAE. The Treasury said he had a key part in recruiting and deploying former Colombian soldiers to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Oliveros, was similarly targeted.

Also on the restricted list was Mateo Andrés Duque Botero, a dual Colombian-Spanish citizen who authorities say ran a firm implicated in managing finances and payments for the scheme. "Recently, American entities connected to Duque conducted multiple financial transactions, worth millions," the government release noted.

Citizen of Colombia Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the fourth individual to be targeted, with the company she managed said to have conducted financial transactions connected to Duque and his operations.

"Washington reiterates its demand for external actors to cease providing monetary and weaponry aid to the belligerents," the Treasury stated.

Reaction

A senior analyst, with the International Crisis Group, described the measures as a "major" development, saying that "targeting the enablers is the right way to go".

It was also noted that, Colombia recently passed a statute endorsing the International Convention Against the Recruitment and Use of Mercenaries, designed to limit decades of Colombian involvement in international fights and reshape national security policy.

Another expert, a scholar on the subject, urged more caution, saying that "sanctions are necessary but insufficient for addressing widespread use of contractors".

"This is a shadow economy and centered in the UAE, which is relatively sanction-proof," he commented. The United Arab Emirates has been frequently alleged of providing arms to the militia, claims it rejects. "More contractors from Colombia are likely," the expert cautioned.