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The United States has enforced penalties on a operation 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.

Operation Structure

Announcing the measures on Tuesday, the Treasury stated the operation was mostly comprised of individuals and businesses from Colombia.

Numerous of former Colombian military personnel have allegedly journeyed to the conflict in Sudan to fight alongside the RSF paramilitary group, a faction linked to severe violations such as ethnically targeted slaughter and large-scale abductions.

Discovery of Participation

The involvement of Colombian fighters first came to light in 2024, following an report which revealed that hundreds of ex-military personnel had been recruited to participate in the war – an event that resulted in an rare mea culpa from officials in Bogotá.

Former Colombian military have historically been seen as among the world’s most sought-after mercenaries due to their vast combat experience acquired during decades of civil war, training on Western military gear, and elite military instruction.

Role in the Conflict

In Sudan, the Colombians have been accused of teaching minors, provided drone warfare training, and participated in direct battles. A mercenary previously stated that training children was "terrible and insane" but commented that "sadly, that is the nature of conflict".

Sanctioned Individuals

Among those penalized was a dual national, a citizen of both Colombia and Italy and retired Colombian military officer located in the United Arab Emirates. The government said he had a central role in recruiting and deploying ex-military personnel to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was penalized as well.

Also on the penalty list was Mateo Duque Botero, a dual national who authorities say ran a firm implicated in handling funds and payroll for the scheme. "In 2024 and 2025, US-based firms connected to Duque carried out numerous wire transfers, totalling millions of US dollars," the official announcement stated.

Colombian national Mónica Muñoz was the other individual to be sanctioned, with the company she managed accused of wire transfers associated with Duque and his operations.

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

Reaction

Elizabeth Dickinson, from a conflict think tank, labeled the actions as a "major" development, saying that "identifying the recruiters is the correct approach".

She added that, Colombia has enacted a statute ratifying the anti-mercenary convention, seeking to reduce its citizens' long history in international fights and change its security approach.

A mercenary specialist, an expert on mercenaries, advised additional measures, stating that "restrictions are needed but not enough for combating widespread use of contractors".

"It operates in the black market and based out of the UAE, which is largely insulated from sanctions," he stated. The United Arab Emirates has been frequently alleged of arming the RSF, an accusation it has denied. "Expect more Colombian mercenaries," McFate warned.