United States Enforces Restrictions on Group Alleged of Funneling South American Mercenaries to Sudan.

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

Operation Structure

Revealing the sanctions on this week, the Treasury stated the network was mostly comprised of individuals and businesses from Colombia.

Hundreds of retired Colombian troops have allegedly journeyed to the Sudanese warzone to fight alongside the RSF paramilitary group, a faction implicated in terrible atrocities including ethnically targeted slaughter and mass abductions.

Emergence of Involvement

The role of these mercenaries initially emerged the previous year, following an inquiry which disclosed that over three hundred retired troops had been hired to fight – an event that prompted an unprecedented apology from Colombia’s foreign ministry.

Former Colombian military have widely regarded as some of the most in-demand contractors globally due to their considerable warzone knowledge resulting from years of internal conflict, training on Western military gear, and superior tactical education.

Activities in Sudan

In the conflict, the Colombians have allegedly instructed child soldiers, taught fighters to pilot drones, and participated in direct battles. One source remarked that training children was "awful and crazy" but commented that "regrettably, war operates that way".

Named Entities

Among those penalized was a dual national, a dual Colombian-Italian national and former army officer operating from the Dubai. The US authorities accused him a central role in recruiting and deploying ex-military personnel to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was similarly targeted.

Also on the penalty list was Mateo Duque Botero, a dual national who the Treasury stated oversaw a company implicated in processing money and salaries for the scheme. "In 2024 and 2025, US-based firms associated with Duque conducted several money transfers, worth millions," the Treasury statement noted.

Citizen of Colombia Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the fourth individual to be penalized, with the firm she operated said to have conducted financial transactions associated with Duque and his businesses.

"Washington reiterates its demand for foreign parties to halt the flow of funding and arms to the warring parties," the agency stated.

Analyst Commentary

A senior analyst, from a conflict think tank, labeled the measures as a "highly important" development, stating that "calling out those who are doing the contracting is the proper strategy".

Furthermore, the Colombian government ratified a law ratifying the International Convention Against the Recruitment and Use of Mercenaries, aiming to curb its citizens' long history in international fights and reshape its security approach.

Sean McFate, a scholar on the subject, urged more caution, stating that "penalties are required yet incomplete for addressing the growing mercenary trade".

"It’s an illicit economy and based out of the Emirates, which is difficult to penalize," he commented. The United Arab Emirates has been frequently alleged of providing arms to the militia, an accusation it has denied. "Expect more Colombian mercenaries," the expert cautioned.