US Imposes Sanctions on Operation Accused of Channeling Colombian Fighters to Sudan.

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

Group Makeup

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

Scores of retired Colombian troops have reportedly travelled to Sudan to fight alongside the RSF paramilitary group, a faction linked to horrific war crimes encompassing ethnically targeted slaughter and widespread kidnappings.

Emergence of Involvement

The participation of ex-soldiers first came to light in 2024, following an report which disclosed that hundreds of former soldiers had been contracted to participate in the war – an event that prompted an unprecedented apology from officials in Bogotá.

Colombian ex-soldiers have widely regarded as among the world’s most sought-after mercenaries due to their extensive battlefield experience gleaned from years of internal conflict, knowledge of advanced weaponry, and superior tactical education.

Reported Actions

In the Sudanese theater, the Colombians have allegedly instructed underage fighters, taught fighters to pilot drones, and participated in direct battles. An individual involved remarked that working with child soldiers was "horrific and irrational" but commented that "sadly, that is the nature of conflict".

Targeted Persons

Among those penalized was a retired Colombian officer, a individual with dual citizenship and former army officer located in the UAE. The government said he had a pivotal function in enlisting and transporting former Colombian soldiers to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was penalized as well.

Also on the penalty list was Mateo Andrés Duque Botero, a dual Colombian-Spanish citizen who officials alleged ran a firm accused of processing money and salaries for the recruitment operation. "Over the past two years, American entities connected to Duque engaged in numerous wire transfers, amounting to millions," the official announcement said.

Citizen of Colombia Mónica Muñoz was the other individual to be targeted, with the company she managed alleged to have money transfers linked to Duque and his businesses.

"The US once more urges outside forces to halt the flow of monetary and weaponry aid to the combatants," the department said in a statement.

Reaction

An expert, with the International Crisis Group, labeled the sanctions as a "highly important" milestone, noting that "calling out those who are doing the contracting is the correct approach".

It was also noted that, Colombia ratified a law approving the International Convention Against the Recruitment and Use of Mercenaries, designed to limit years of participation by its nationals in overseas wars and change domestic defense strategy.

Sean McFate, a scholar on the subject, called for greater wariness, saying that "penalties are required yet incomplete for dealing with the growing mercenary trade".

"It’s an illicit economy and based out of the UAE, which is difficult to penalize," he stated. The Emirati government has been frequently alleged of arming the RSF, an accusation it has denied. "This trend will probably continue," McFate warned.