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The United States has imposed sanctions on a network of several persons and entities accused of recruiting South American contractors to fight for and train a Sudanese paramilitary group that Washington accuses of genocidal acts.

Network Composition

Announcing the sanctions on Tuesday, the Treasury stated the operation was mostly comprised of Colombian nationals and companies.

Hundreds of ex-soldiers from Colombia have been recruited to go to Sudan to fight alongside the RSF paramilitary group, a group accused of horrific war crimes encompassing targeted ethnic killings and large-scale abductions.

Discovery of Participation

The role of these mercenaries first came to light in 2024, after an report which found that over three hundred retired troops had been contracted to engage in combat – an revelation that resulted in an unprecedented apology from Colombia’s foreign ministry.

These South American veterans have historically been seen as among the world’s most sought-after mercenaries due to their considerable warzone knowledge resulting from decades of civil war, knowledge of Nato equipment, and high-level combat training.

Role in the Conflict

In Sudan, the Colombians have been accused of teaching minors, taught fighters to pilot drones, and participated in direct battles. One source previously stated that instructing minors was "terrible and insane" but noted that "sadly, that is the nature of conflict".

Named Entities

Among those penalized was a dual national, a dual Colombian-Italian national and ex-soldier located in the United Arab Emirates. The US authorities alleged he played a central role in enlisting and transporting mercenaries to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Oliveros, was similarly targeted.

Also on the penalty list was Mateo Andrés Duque Botero, a dual Colombian-Spanish citizen who authorities say ran a firm implicated in managing finances and payments for the recruitment operation. "Recently, US-based firms linked to Duque engaged in numerous wire transfers, worth millions," the government release said.

Individual Mónica Muñoz was the final person to be penalized, with the entity she oversaw alleged to have money transfers associated with Duque and his operations.

"Washington reiterates its demand for external actors to halt the flow of financial and military support to the combatants," the agency stated.

Expert Analysis

An expert, from a conflict think tank, labeled the actions as a "highly important" milestone, stating that "calling out those who are doing the contracting is the proper strategy".

She added that, Bogotá has enacted a law ratifying the International Convention Against the Recruitment and Use of Mercenaries, seeking to reduce years of participation by its nationals in international fights and reshape domestic defense strategy.

Another expert, an expert on mercenaries, advised additional measures, noting that "sanctions are necessary but insufficient for dealing with the growing mercenary trade".

"This is a shadow economy and operating from the UAE, which is relatively sanction-proof," he commented. The United Arab Emirates has been repeatedly implicated of arming the RSF, claims it rejects. "Expect more Colombian mercenaries," the expert cautioned.