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The US government has imposed sanctions on a operation of several persons and entities charged of enlisting Colombian mercenaries 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 American treasury stated the operation was primarily made up of Colombian nationals and companies.

Hundreds of former Colombian military personnel have allegedly journeyed to the Sudanese warzone to combat beside the RSF paramilitary group, a group linked to horrific war crimes such as massacres based on ethnicity and large-scale abductions.

Emergence of Involvement

The role of these mercenaries first came to light in 2024, prompted by an report which found that more than 300 retired troops had been recruited to fight – an event that prompted an unusual statement of regret from the Colombian government.

These South American veterans have long been considered as among the world’s most sought-after mercenaries due to their considerable warzone knowledge resulting from decades of civil war, training on Western military gear, and elite military instruction.

Role in the Conflict

In the Sudanese theater, the contractors have been accused of teaching underage fighters, instructed militiamen in drone operation, and fought directly on the frontlines. A mercenary was quoted as saying that working with child soldiers was "awful and crazy" but commented that "regrettably, war operates that way".

Named Entities

Among those targeted was a retired Colombian officer, a dual Colombian-Italian national and former army officer operating from the UAE. The US authorities alleged he played a pivotal function in recruiting and deploying mercenaries to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was penalized as well.

Also on the sanctions list was Mateo Duque Botero, a dual Colombian-Spanish citizen who the Treasury stated ran a firm linked to handling funds and payroll for the network. "Over the past two years, American entities connected to Duque carried out numerous wire transfers, amounting to millions," the Treasury statement noted.

Colombian national Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the final person to be sanctioned, with the entity she oversaw said to have conducted wire transfers associated with Duque and his businesses.

"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, called the actions as a "highly important" step, noting that "identifying the recruiters is the correct approach".

She added that, Colombia recently passed a piece of legislation approving the anti-mercenary convention, designed to limit years of participation by its nationals in international fights and change domestic defense strategy.

A mercenary specialist, an expert on mercenaries, advised additional measures, noting that "restrictions are needed but not enough for dealing with the growing mercenary trade".

"This is a shadow economy and operating from Dubai, which is difficult to penalize," he said. The United Arab Emirates has been frequently alleged of providing arms to the militia, claims it rejects. "More contractors from Colombia are likely," McFate warned.