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The US government has enforced penalties on a operation of several persons and entities accused of hiring former Colombian soldiers to fight for and train a Sudanese paramilitary group that Washington accuses of committing genocide.

Operation Structure

Disclosing the restrictions on Tuesday, the Treasury stated the operation was primarily made up of individuals and businesses from Colombia.

Scores of retired Colombian troops have been recruited to go to Sudan to combat beside the RSF paramilitary group, a faction linked to horrific war crimes encompassing massacres based on ethnicity and widespread kidnappings.

Discovery of Participation

The involvement of Colombian fighters initially emerged in 2024, after an inquiry which revealed that more than 300 ex-military personnel had been recruited to fight – an discovery that led to an rare mea culpa from officials in Bogotá.

These South American veterans have historically been seen as highly prized fighters in conflict zones due to their considerable warzone knowledge gleaned from decades of civil war, knowledge of advanced weaponry, and superior tactical education.

Activities in Sudan

In Sudan, the contractors have allegedly instructed minors, provided drone warfare training, and fought directly on the frontlines. An individual involved was quoted as saying that instructing minors was "awful and crazy" but noted that "regrettably, war operates that way".

Sanctioned Individuals

Among those targeted was a retired Colombian officer, a citizen of both Colombia and Italy and former army officer located in the UAE. The government said he had a pivotal function in hiring and sending former Colombian soldiers to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Oliveros, was penalized as well.

Also on the restricted list was Mateo Andrés Duque Botero, a dual national who officials alleged oversaw a company implicated in managing finances and payments for the recruitment operation. "Recently, companies in the United States associated with Duque conducted several money transfers, amounting to millions," the government release said.

Colombian national Mónica Muñoz was the other individual to be penalized, with the company she managed alleged to have wire transfers linked to Duque and his operations.

"The US once more urges external actors to halt the flow of financial and military support to the combatants," the Treasury announced.

Reaction

An expert, from a conflict think tank, described the actions as a "major" milestone, saying that "calling out those who are doing the contracting is the proper strategy".

It was also noted that, the Colombian government ratified a law approving the International Convention Against the Recruitment and Use of Mercenaries, designed to limit its citizens' long history in foreign conflicts and reshape domestic defense strategy.

Sean McFate, a scholar on the subject, urged more caution, stating that "restrictions are needed but not enough for addressing widespread use of contractors".

"It operates in the black market and operating from the Emirates, which is difficult to penalize," he stated. The UAE has been frequently alleged of supplying weapons to the paramilitary group, claims it rejects. "More contractors from Colombia are likely," McFate warned.