US Imposes Restrictions on Operation Accused of Recruiting South American Mercenaries to the Sudanese Conflict.

The United States has imposed sanctions on a group of four individuals and four companies alleged of enlisting former Colombian soldiers to fight for and train a militia force in Sudan the United States claims of genocidal acts.

Operation Structure

Announcing the restrictions on this week, the Treasury stated the network was mostly comprised of Colombian citizens and firms.

Numerous of retired Colombian troops have allegedly journeyed to Sudan to fight alongside the Sudanese RSF militia, a group linked to horrific war crimes including massacres based on ethnicity and widespread kidnappings.

Discovery of Participation

The participation of ex-soldiers initially emerged in 2024, after an report which found that hundreds of ex-military personnel had been contracted to participate in the war – an discovery that prompted an unprecedented apology from the Colombian government.

These South American veterans have widely regarded as among the world’s most sought-after mercenaries due to their extensive battlefield experience acquired during years of internal conflict, knowledge of Western military gear, and superior tactical education.

Reported Actions

In Sudan, the contractors have been accused of teaching minors, provided drone warfare training, and engaged in frontline combat. One source previously stated that training children was "awful and crazy" but noted that "unfortunately that’s how war is".

Targeted Persons

Among those penalized was a dual national, a dual Colombian-Italian national and ex-soldier operating from the Dubai. The Treasury said he had a central role in hiring and sending mercenaries to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Oliveros, was penalized as well.

Also on the sanctions list was Duque Botero, a dual national who the Treasury stated ran a firm accused of managing finances and payments for the network. "Over the past two years, American entities linked to Duque conducted several money transfers, totalling millions of US dollars," the official announcement said.

Colombian national Mónica Muñoz was the other individual to be penalized, with the company she managed accused of financial transactions connected to Duque and his businesses.

"The US once more urges foreign parties to cease providing financial and military support to the warring parties," the department announced.

Expert Analysis

Elizabeth Dickinson, from a conflict think tank, described the sanctions as a "highly important" milestone, stating that "targeting the enablers is the correct approach".

It was also noted that, Bogotá recently passed a law approving the anti-mercenary convention, designed to limit years of participation by its nationals in international fights and reshape domestic defense strategy.

A mercenary specialist, a authority on private military contractors, advised additional measures, stating that "sanctions are necessary but insufficient for addressing widespread use of contractors".

"It operates in the black market and centered in the UAE, which is relatively sanction-proof," he stated. The United Arab Emirates has been frequently alleged of providing arms to the militia, allegations it disputes. "Expect more Colombian mercenaries," he advised.