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The US government has enforced penalties on a network of several persons and entities alleged of hiring South American contractors to combat alongside and instruct a militia force in Sudan that Washington accuses of acts of genocide.

Operation Structure

Revealing the measures on this week, the Treasury stated the scheme was mostly comprised of Colombian citizens and firms.

Hundreds of retired Colombian troops have reportedly travelled to the conflict in Sudan to combat beside the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a force accused of severe violations including massacres based on ethnicity and widespread kidnappings.

Revelation of Role

The involvement of Colombian fighters first came to light in 2024, following an report which found that more than 300 ex-military personnel had been hired to engage in combat – an revelation that led to an unprecedented apology from the Colombian government.

Former Colombian military have widely regarded as among the world’s most sought-after mercenaries due to their considerable warzone knowledge resulting from years of internal conflict, familiarity with advanced weaponry, and superior tactical education.

Reported Actions

In Sudan, the Colombians have reportedly trained underage fighters, instructed militiamen in drone operation, and fought directly on the frontlines. A mercenary remarked that working with child soldiers was "terrible and insane" but added that "regrettably, war operates that way".

Named Entities

Among those penalized was a retired Colombian officer, a individual with dual citizenship and former army officer operating from the United Arab Emirates. The government said he had a central role in recruiting and deploying former Colombian soldiers 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 authorities say managed a business linked to handling funds and payroll for the scheme. "In 2024 and 2025, companies in the United States linked to Duque engaged in several money transfers, totalling millions of US dollars," the Treasury statement said.

Individual Mónica Muñoz was the fourth individual to be sanctioned, with the entity she oversaw alleged to have financial transactions associated with Duque and his businesses.

"Washington reiterates its demand for external actors to halt the flow of monetary and weaponry aid to the combatants," the department announced.

Reaction

An expert, with the International Crisis Group, called the measures as a "highly important" milestone, stating that "calling out those who are doing the contracting is the correct approach".

Furthermore, Bogotá has enacted a law ratifying the International Convention Against the Recruitment and Use of Mercenaries, seeking to reduce its citizens' long history in foreign conflicts and transform national security policy.

Another expert, an expert on mercenaries, called for greater wariness, stating that "sanctions are necessary but insufficient for combating 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 widely accused of providing arms to the militia, claims it rejects. "This trend will probably continue," McFate warned.