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The Washington has enforced penalties on a operation of several persons and entities alleged of hiring South American contractors to combat alongside and instruct a Sudanese paramilitary group the United States claims of committing genocide.

Operation Structure

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

Numerous of retired Colombian troops have allegedly journeyed to the conflict in Sudan to operate with the RSF paramilitary group, a group accused of terrible atrocities such as ethnically targeted slaughter and large-scale abductions.

Revelation of Role

The involvement of Colombian fighters initially emerged in 2024, after an inquiry which disclosed that more than 300 former soldiers had been hired to participate in the war – an revelation that resulted in an unprecedented apology from officials in Bogotá.

Former Colombian military have historically been seen as some of the most in-demand contractors globally due to their vast combat experience resulting from a long-running domestic war, knowledge of Western military gear, and high-level combat training.

Role in the Conflict

In Sudan, the mercenaries have reportedly trained minors, instructed militiamen in drone operation, and participated in direct battles. One source previously stated that working with child soldiers was "horrific and irrational" but added that "regrettably, war operates that way".

Targeted Persons

Among those targeted was a dual national, a dual Colombian-Italian national and ex-soldier based in the United Arab Emirates. The government alleged he played a pivotal function in enlisting and transporting ex-military personnel to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Oliveros, was also sanctioned.

Also on the restricted list was Mateo Duque Botero, a dual national who the Treasury stated ran a firm implicated in processing money and salaries for the network. "Recently, American entities connected to Duque engaged in multiple financial transactions, totalling millions of US dollars," the government release noted.

Individual Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the fourth individual to be sanctioned, with the firm she operated accused of wire transfers associated with Duque and his businesses.

"Washington reiterates its demand for foreign parties to cease providing financial and military support to the belligerents," the Treasury announced.

Analyst Commentary

An expert, senior analyst at the International Crisis Group, described the measures as a "very significant" step, noting that "targeting the enablers is the correct approach".

She added that, Colombia has enacted a statute endorsing the anti-mercenary convention, seeking to reduce decades of Colombian involvement in overseas wars and transform its security approach.

Sean McFate, an expert on mercenaries, advised additional measures, saying that "penalties are required yet incomplete for dealing with widespread use of contractors".

"It’s an illicit economy and centered in Dubai, which is largely insulated from sanctions," he stated. The Emirati government has been widely accused of supplying weapons to the paramilitary group, allegations it disputes. "Expect more Colombian mercenaries," McFate warned.