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The Washington has levied restrictions on a operation of several persons and entities charged of enlisting South American contractors to combat alongside and instruct a militia force in Sudan which the US alleges of committing genocide.

Group Makeup

Revealing the measures on this week, the US Treasury Department stated the operation was mostly comprised of Colombian nationals and companies.

Hundreds of retired Colombian troops have allegedly journeyed to the conflict in Sudan to fight alongside the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a group linked to horrific war crimes including massacres based on ethnicity and large-scale abductions.

Emergence of Involvement

The participation of ex-soldiers was first uncovered the previous year, prompted by an investigation which found that hundreds of retired troops had been recruited to engage in combat – an discovery that resulted in an unprecedented apology from the Colombian government.

These South American veterans have historically been seen as some of the most in-demand contractors globally due to their vast combat experience acquired during decades of civil war, training on Nato equipment, and high-level combat training.

Reported Actions

In the conflict, the Colombians have allegedly instructed child soldiers, provided drone warfare training, and participated in direct battles. One source previously stated that instructing minors was "terrible and insane" but commented that "unfortunately that’s how war is".

Targeted Persons

Among those targeted was a dual national, a citizen of both Colombia and Italy and retired Colombian military officer based in the United Arab Emirates. The Treasury accused him a central role in enlisting and transporting ex-military personnel to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Oliveros, was penalized as well.

Also on the penalty list was Mateo Duque Botero, a dual national who the Treasury stated oversaw a company accused of handling funds and payroll for the recruitment operation. "In 2024 and 2025, US-based firms linked to Duque engaged in several money transfers, worth millions," the government release said.

Citizen of Colombia Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the final person to be penalized, with the firm she operated accused of money transfers associated with Duque and his operations.

"The US once more urges external actors to stop giving monetary and weaponry aid to the combatants," the Treasury stated.

Expert Analysis

A senior analyst, with the International Crisis Group, described the actions as a "highly important" step, stating that "calling out those who are doing the contracting is the proper strategy".

Furthermore, Bogotá recently passed a statute ratifying the global treaty against mercenarism, seeking to reduce decades of Colombian involvement in foreign conflicts and transform its security approach.

Sean McFate, an expert on mercenaries, advised additional measures, noting that "sanctions are necessary but insufficient for addressing the growing mercenary trade".

"It’s an illicit economy and based out of Dubai, which is difficult to penalize," he said. The UAE has been frequently alleged of arming the RSF, claims it rejects. "More contractors from Colombia are likely," the expert cautioned.