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The Washington has imposed sanctions on a operation of several persons and entities alleged of recruiting South American contractors to support and educate a militia force in Sudan that Washington accuses of acts of genocide.

Group Makeup

Disclosing the sanctions on this week, the Treasury stated the operation was primarily made up of Colombian citizens and firms.

Scores of ex-soldiers from Colombia have allegedly journeyed to the conflict in Sudan to fight alongside the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a force accused of horrific war crimes encompassing massacres based on ethnicity and mass abductions.

Discovery of Participation

The participation of ex-soldiers first came to light in 2024, after an report which found that hundreds of former soldiers had been hired to fight – an event that led to an unusual statement of regret from officials in Bogotá.

Former Colombian military have long been considered as some of the most in-demand contractors globally due to their extensive battlefield experience resulting from decades of civil war, knowledge of Western military gear, and elite military instruction.

Activities in Sudan

In the Sudanese theater, the Colombians have allegedly instructed child soldiers, provided drone warfare training, and fought directly on the frontlines. One source was quoted as saying that working with child soldiers was "terrible and insane" but commented that "regrettably, war operates that way".

Sanctioned Individuals

Among those sanctioned was a dual national, a individual with dual citizenship and former army officer based in the Dubai. The government accused him a pivotal function in enlisting and transporting former Colombian soldiers to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was also sanctioned.

Also on the restricted list was Mateo Andrés Duque Botero, a dual Colombian-Spanish citizen who authorities say oversaw a company implicated in handling funds and payroll for the recruitment operation. "Over the past two years, US-based firms connected to Duque carried out numerous wire transfers, amounting to millions," the Treasury statement said.

Individual Mónica Muñoz was the fourth individual to be sanctioned, with the firm she operated said to have conducted money transfers associated with Duque and his operations.

"The US once more urges external actors to stop giving financial and military support to the belligerents," the department announced.

Reaction

A senior analyst, with the International Crisis Group, called the measures as a "major" development, stating that "identifying the recruiters is the proper strategy".

Furthermore, Bogotá ratified a piece of legislation endorsing the anti-mercenary convention, seeking to reduce years of participation by its nationals in international fights and reshape domestic defense strategy.

Another expert, a scholar on the subject, urged more caution, stating that "penalties are required yet incomplete for combating the growing mercenary trade".

"It operates in the black market and centered in the UAE, which is largely insulated from sanctions," he said. The Emirati government has been frequently alleged of providing arms to the militia, an accusation it has denied. "Expect more Colombian mercenaries," he advised.