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The Washington has levied restrictions on a group of several persons and entities alleged of recruiting South American contractors to fight for and train a Sudanese paramilitary group that Washington accuses of acts of genocide.

Group Makeup

Announcing the measures on this week, the American treasury stated the scheme was primarily made up of individuals and businesses from Colombia.

Hundreds of ex-soldiers from Colombia have reportedly travelled to Sudan to fight alongside the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a faction accused of terrible atrocities such as targeted ethnic killings and widespread kidnappings.

Discovery of Participation

The involvement of Colombian fighters initially emerged in 2024, prompted by an report which found that more than 300 former soldiers had been recruited to fight – an discovery that led to an rare mea culpa from Colombia’s foreign ministry.

Colombian ex-soldiers have historically been seen as highly prized fighters in conflict zones due to their vast combat experience acquired during a long-running domestic war, familiarity with Nato equipment, and high-level combat training.

Activities in Sudan

In Sudan, the Colombians have allegedly instructed minors, instructed militiamen in drone operation, and engaged in frontline combat. One source was quoted as saying that instructing minors was "awful and crazy" but noted that "regrettably, war operates that way".

Named Entities

Among those sanctioned was a retired Colombian officer, a citizen of both Colombia and Italy and ex-soldier located in the Dubai. The Treasury accused him a key part in hiring and sending ex-military personnel to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was similarly targeted.

Also on the sanctions list was Mateo Duque Botero, a dual Colombian-Spanish citizen who the Treasury stated managed a business accused of processing money and salaries for the network. "Over the past two years, American entities connected to Duque carried out numerous wire transfers, amounting to millions," the government release said.

Citizen of Colombia Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the fourth individual to be targeted, with the firm she operated alleged to have wire transfers linked to Duque and his operations.

"The US once more urges outside forces to stop giving financial and military support to the combatants," the department stated.

Reaction

Elizabeth Dickinson, with the International Crisis Group, described the sanctions as a "highly important" development, saying that "identifying the recruiters is the right way to go".

It was also noted that, Colombia has enacted a piece of legislation approving the anti-mercenary convention, designed to limit decades of Colombian involvement in foreign conflicts and transform its security approach.

Sean McFate, a authority on private military contractors, advised additional measures, saying that "penalties are required yet incomplete for dealing with widespread use of contractors".

"It operates in the black market and based out of the UAE, which is relatively sanction-proof," he stated. The United Arab Emirates has been frequently alleged of arming the RSF, claims it rejects. "This trend will probably continue," the expert cautioned.