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The US government has imposed sanctions on a network of several persons and entities alleged of enlisting South American contractors to combat alongside and instruct a Sudanese paramilitary group that Washington accuses of acts of genocide.

Network Composition

Revealing the measures on Tuesday, the American treasury stated the operation was mostly comprised of Colombian citizens and firms.

Scores of former Colombian military personnel have allegedly journeyed to Sudan to fight alongside the RSF paramilitary group, a faction implicated in severe violations encompassing massacres based on ethnicity and large-scale abductions.

Discovery of Participation

The participation of ex-soldiers first came to light in 2024, following an report which disclosed that more than 300 retired troops had been recruited to fight – an discovery that resulted in an unprecedented apology from Colombia’s foreign ministry.

These South American veterans have long been considered as some of the most in-demand contractors globally due to their vast combat experience acquired during years of internal conflict, training on Western military gear, and elite military instruction.

Role in the Conflict

In the conflict, the Colombians have reportedly trained underage fighters, provided drone warfare training, and fought directly on the frontlines. An individual involved previously stated that instructing minors was "awful and crazy" but noted that "unfortunately that’s how war is".

Named Entities

Among those sanctioned was Álvaro Andrés Quijano Becerra, a dual Colombian-Italian national and former army officer operating from the Dubai. The government alleged he played a central role in recruiting and deploying mercenaries to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Oliveros, was penalized as well.

Also on the penalty list was Mateo Duque Botero, a dual national who authorities say oversaw a company linked to processing money and salaries for the scheme. "Over the past two years, American entities connected to Duque carried out multiple financial transactions, totalling millions of US dollars," the Treasury statement noted.

Colombian national Mónica Muñoz was the other individual to be targeted, with the entity she oversaw said to have conducted money transfers associated with Duque and his businesses.

"The United States again calls on outside forces to halt the flow of financial and military support to the warring parties," the Treasury announced.

Expert Analysis

Elizabeth Dickinson, from a conflict think tank, called the measures as a "major" step, stating that "identifying the recruiters is the correct approach".

She added that, Colombia recently passed a piece of legislation ratifying the International Convention Against the Recruitment and Use of Mercenaries, aiming to curb its citizens' long history in overseas wars and transform domestic defense strategy.

A mercenary specialist, a authority on private military contractors, urged more caution, stating that "restrictions are needed but not enough for combating widespread use of contractors".

"It’s an illicit economy and based out of Dubai, which is difficult to penalize," he said. The Emirati government has been frequently alleged of providing arms to the militia, allegations it disputes. "This trend will probably continue," McFate warned.