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The Washington has enforced penalties on a operation of four individuals and four companies charged of hiring South American contractors to fight for and train a armed faction in Sudan that Washington accuses of acts of genocide.

Group Makeup

Announcing the measures on this week, the American treasury stated the operation was primarily made up of Colombian nationals and companies.

Hundreds of retired Colombian troops have allegedly journeyed to the conflict in Sudan to operate with the RSF paramilitary group, a group accused of horrific war crimes such as massacres based on ethnicity and widespread kidnappings.

Emergence of Involvement

The participation of ex-soldiers first came to light last year, prompted by an investigation which revealed that over three hundred former soldiers had been hired to participate in the war – an revelation that led to an unusual statement of regret from officials in Bogotá.

These South American veterans have historically been seen as among the world’s most sought-after mercenaries due to their vast combat experience acquired during a long-running domestic war, training on Western military gear, and elite military instruction.

Activities in Sudan

In the conflict, the Colombians have been accused of teaching child soldiers, instructed militiamen in drone operation, and engaged in frontline combat. One source was quoted as saying that training children was "horrific and irrational" but noted that "unfortunately that’s how war is".

Targeted Persons

Among those penalized was a retired Colombian officer, a citizen of both Colombia and Italy and former army officer based in the Dubai. The government alleged he played a central role in recruiting and deploying ex-military personnel to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was penalized as well.

Also on the restricted list was Duque Botero, a dual Colombian-Spanish citizen who the Treasury stated managed a business accused of handling funds and payroll for the network. "In 2024 and 2025, US-based firms associated with Duque engaged in multiple financial transactions, amounting to millions," the government release noted.

Colombian national Mónica Muñoz was the final person to be sanctioned, with the entity she oversaw alleged to have financial transactions linked to Duque and his companies.

"The US once more urges external actors to stop giving monetary and weaponry aid to the belligerents," the department said in a statement.

Reaction

Elizabeth Dickinson, senior analyst at the International Crisis Group, described the sanctions as a "highly important" step, noting that "identifying the recruiters is the correct approach".

It was also noted that, the Colombian government recently passed a statute approving the International Convention Against the Recruitment and Use of Mercenaries, aiming to curb its citizens' long history in overseas wars and transform its security approach.

Sean McFate, a scholar on the subject, advised additional measures, noting that "penalties are required yet incomplete for addressing the growing mercenary trade".

"It operates in the black market and based out of Dubai, which is relatively sanction-proof," he said. The United Arab Emirates has been frequently alleged of providing arms to the militia, an accusation it has denied. "More contractors from Colombia are likely," the expert cautioned.