Washington Levies Restrictions on Operation Accused of Channeling Colombian Fighters to the Sudanese Conflict.
The US government has enforced penalties on a group of four people and four firms accused of enlisting South American contractors to combat alongside and instruct a Sudanese paramilitary group that Washington accuses of committing genocide.
Group Makeup
Announcing the sanctions on this week, the Treasury stated the operation was mostly comprised of individuals and businesses from Colombia.
Hundreds of ex-soldiers from Colombia have reportedly travelled to Sudan to fight alongside the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a faction accused of horrific war crimes such as targeted ethnic killings and widespread kidnappings.
Emergence of Involvement
The role of these mercenaries initially emerged the previous year, prompted by an inquiry which revealed that hundreds of retired troops had been contracted to engage in combat – an revelation that resulted in an unusual statement of regret from the Colombian government.
These South American veterans have long been considered as highly prized fighters in conflict zones due to their considerable warzone knowledge resulting from decades of civil war, knowledge of advanced weaponry, and elite military instruction.
Reported Actions
In Sudan, the Colombians have allegedly instructed minors, taught fighters to pilot drones, and fought directly on the frontlines. One source was quoted as saying that training children was "horrific and irrational" but added that "unfortunately that’s how war is".
Named Entities
Among those sanctioned was a dual national, a citizen of both Colombia and Italy and former army officer operating from the Dubai. The Treasury alleged he played a central role in recruiting and deploying former Colombian soldiers to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Oliveros, was similarly targeted.
Also on the sanctions list was Mateo Duque Botero, a individual with Colombian and Spanish citizenship who authorities say ran a firm linked to processing money and salaries for the recruitment operation. "In 2024 and 2025, companies in the United States connected to Duque conducted multiple financial transactions, worth millions," the official announcement stated.
Citizen of Colombia Mónica Muñoz was the fourth individual to be penalized, with the firm she operated said to have conducted wire transfers connected to Duque and his operations.
"The US once more urges external actors to cease providing financial and military support to the warring parties," the department stated.
Analyst Commentary
A senior analyst, from a conflict think tank, described the actions as a "major" development, noting that "identifying the recruiters is the right way to go".
She added that, Bogotá has enacted a statute ratifying the anti-mercenary convention, seeking to reduce its citizens' long history in overseas wars and reshape domestic defense strategy.
A mercenary specialist, a authority on private military contractors, urged more caution, saying that "penalties are required yet incomplete for combating rampant mercenarism".
"This is a shadow economy and centered in the UAE, which is largely insulated from sanctions," he commented. The UAE has been repeatedly implicated of supplying weapons to the paramilitary group, allegations it disputes. "This trend will probably continue," he advised.
