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The US government has levied restrictions on a operation of four people and four firms alleged of recruiting South American contractors to support and educate a armed faction in Sudan that Washington accuses of acts of genocide.

Group Makeup

Revealing the measures on this week, the Treasury stated the operation was mostly comprised of individuals and businesses from Colombia.

Numerous of ex-soldiers from Colombia have reportedly travelled to the conflict in Sudan to combat beside the Sudanese RSF militia, a force linked to terrible atrocities such as massacres based on ethnicity and mass abductions.

Discovery of Participation

The participation of ex-soldiers initially emerged in 2024, prompted by an inquiry which found that more than 300 ex-military personnel had been recruited to participate in the war – an discovery that resulted in an unprecedented apology from Colombia’s foreign ministry.

These South American veterans have long been considered as highly prized fighters in conflict zones due to their vast combat experience acquired during years of internal conflict, knowledge of advanced weaponry, and superior tactical education.

Activities in Sudan

In Sudan, the mercenaries have reportedly trained child soldiers, instructed militiamen in drone operation, and fought directly on the frontlines. An individual involved remarked that working with child soldiers was "horrific and irrational" but commented that "regrettably, war operates that way".

Named Entities

Among those sanctioned was a dual national, a citizen of both Colombia and Italy and retired Colombian military officer based in the UAE. The US authorities accused him a central role in hiring and sending ex-military personnel to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was penalized as well.

Also on the sanctions list was Mateo Duque Botero, a dual national who officials alleged ran a firm linked to managing finances and payments for the scheme. "Over the past two years, American entities linked to Duque carried out several money transfers, worth millions," the official announcement stated.

Citizen of Colombia Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the other individual to be targeted, with the company she managed said to have conducted wire transfers associated with Duque and his operations.

"The US once more urges outside forces to halt the flow of financial and military support to the warring parties," the agency announced.

Reaction

Elizabeth Dickinson, senior analyst at the International Crisis Group, called the sanctions as a "highly important" development, noting that "targeting the enablers is the right way to go".

It was also noted that, the Colombian government ratified a law approving the anti-mercenary convention, aiming to curb years of participation by its nationals in foreign conflicts and change national security policy.

Sean McFate, a scholar on the subject, called for greater wariness, saying that "penalties are required yet incomplete for dealing with widespread use of contractors".

"This is a shadow economy and operating from Dubai, which is difficult to penalize," he stated. The Emirati government has been repeatedly implicated of providing arms to the militia, allegations it disputes. "Expect more Colombian mercenaries," McFate warned.