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The United States has imposed sanctions on a operation of several persons and entities charged of recruiting South American contractors to fight for and train a Sudanese paramilitary group that Washington accuses of committing genocide.

Operation Structure

Announcing the measures on Tuesday, the Treasury stated the operation was largely composed of Colombian citizens and firms.

Scores of ex-soldiers from Colombia have been recruited to go to the Sudanese warzone to operate with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a group linked to terrible atrocities encompassing targeted ethnic killings and large-scale abductions.

Revelation of Role

The involvement of Colombian fighters first came to light in 2024, after an report which revealed that more than 300 ex-military personnel had been recruited to participate in the war – an discovery that prompted an unprecedented apology 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 gleaned from a long-running domestic war, knowledge of Western military gear, and superior tactical education.

Reported Actions

In the Sudanese theater, the Colombians have reportedly trained child soldiers, instructed militiamen in drone operation, and fought directly on the frontlines. One source was quoted as saying that training children was "awful and crazy" but added that "unfortunately that’s how war is".

Named Entities

Among those penalized was a retired Colombian officer, a dual Colombian-Italian national and ex-soldier based in the Dubai. The US authorities said he had a key part in hiring and sending ex-military personnel to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Oliveros, was similarly targeted.

Also on the penalty list was Mateo Andrés Duque Botero, a individual with Colombian and Spanish citizenship who the Treasury stated ran a firm accused of handling funds and payroll for the network. "Recently, companies in the United States associated with Duque engaged in multiple financial transactions, totalling millions of US dollars," the Treasury statement noted.

Individual Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the final person to be penalized, with the entity she oversaw said to have conducted wire transfers linked to Duque and his businesses.

"The United States again calls on outside forces to stop giving financial and military support to the combatants," the Treasury announced.

Expert Analysis

A senior analyst, senior analyst at the International Crisis Group, called the sanctions as a "very significant" development, stating that "calling out those who are doing the contracting is the correct approach".

It was also noted that, Bogotá has enacted a piece of legislation approving the global treaty against mercenarism, aiming to curb years of participation by its nationals in international fights and transform domestic defense strategy.

Another expert, a scholar on the subject, urged more caution, stating that "sanctions are necessary but insufficient for addressing rampant mercenarism".

"This is a shadow economy and centered in the Emirates, which is relatively sanction-proof," he stated. The UAE has been frequently alleged of providing arms to the militia, claims it rejects. "Expect more Colombian mercenaries," he advised.