🔗 Share this article

The United States has imposed sanctions on a operation of several persons and entities charged of hiring South American contractors to fight for and train a Sudanese paramilitary group which the US alleges of committing genocide.

Operation Structure

Revealing the sanctions on this week, the American treasury stated the network was mostly comprised of Colombian nationals and companies.

Numerous of ex-soldiers from Colombia have been recruited to go to the conflict in Sudan to operate with the Sudanese RSF militia, a faction implicated in terrible atrocities including targeted ethnic killings and large-scale abductions.

Discovery of Participation

The involvement of Colombian fighters first came to light in 2024, following an inquiry which revealed that more than 300 former soldiers had been hired to participate in the war – an discovery that resulted in an unusual statement of regret from officials in Bogotá.

These South American veterans have long been considered as among the world’s most sought-after mercenaries due to their considerable warzone knowledge acquired during years of internal conflict, familiarity with Nato equipment, and superior tactical education.

Reported Actions

In the conflict, the contractors have been accused of teaching minors, provided drone warfare training, and participated in direct battles. One source previously stated that training children was "horrific and irrational" but noted that "unfortunately that’s how war is".

Targeted Persons

Among those targeted was a dual national, a dual Colombian-Italian national and former army officer located in the United Arab Emirates. The Treasury accused him a central role in recruiting and deploying ex-military personnel to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Oliveros, was similarly targeted.

Also on the sanctions list was Duque Botero, a dual Colombian-Spanish citizen who officials alleged managed a business accused of managing finances and payments for the scheme. "In 2024 and 2025, companies in the United States connected to Duque conducted multiple financial transactions, amounting to millions," the official announcement said.

Individual Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the fourth individual to be penalized, with the company she managed alleged to have money transfers linked to Duque and his businesses.

"Washington reiterates its demand for outside forces to halt the flow of monetary and weaponry aid to the combatants," the Treasury said in a statement.

Expert Analysis

Elizabeth Dickinson, with the International Crisis Group, described the measures as a "highly important" milestone, saying that "calling out those who are doing the contracting is the right way to go".

It was also noted that, Colombia recently passed a statute approving the International Convention Against the Recruitment and Use of Mercenaries, aiming to curb its citizens' long history in international fights and change national security policy.

Sean McFate, a scholar on the subject, urged more caution, stating that "restrictions are needed but not enough for combating rampant mercenarism".

"It’s an illicit economy and based out of Dubai, which is relatively sanction-proof," he stated. The UAE has been widely accused of providing arms to the militia, claims it rejects. "This trend will probably continue," the expert cautioned.