🔗 Share this article

The Washington has levied restrictions on a network of four people and four firms alleged of enlisting South American contractors to combat alongside and instruct a militia force in Sudan that Washington accuses of committing genocide.

Group Makeup

Announcing the sanctions on this week, the US Treasury Department stated the operation was largely composed of Colombian nationals and companies.

Hundreds of ex-soldiers from Colombia have allegedly journeyed to the conflict in Sudan to operate with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a group accused of terrible atrocities including massacres based on ethnicity and mass abductions.

Discovery of Participation

The involvement of Colombian fighters initially emerged last year, prompted by an inquiry which found that over three hundred retired troops had been hired to engage in combat – an event that led to an unusual statement of regret from officials in Bogotá.

These South American veterans have widely regarded as among the world’s most sought-after mercenaries due to their considerable warzone knowledge acquired during years of internal conflict, training on advanced weaponry, and superior tactical education.

Activities in Sudan

In Sudan, the Colombians have allegedly instructed underage fighters, provided drone warfare training, and fought directly on the frontlines. One source was quoted as saying that working with child soldiers was "awful and crazy" but commented that "unfortunately that’s how war is".

Named Entities

Among those targeted was a dual national, a dual Colombian-Italian national and retired Colombian military officer located in the United Arab Emirates. The government alleged he played a pivotal function in enlisting and transporting ex-military personnel to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was similarly targeted.

Also on the restricted list was Mateo Andrés Duque Botero, a dual national who authorities say oversaw a company implicated in handling funds and payroll for the network. "In 2024 and 2025, companies in the United States associated with Duque conducted numerous wire transfers, worth millions," the Treasury statement stated.

Colombian national Mónica Muñoz was the other individual to be targeted, with the company she managed accused of wire transfers associated with Duque and his operations.

"Washington reiterates its demand for foreign parties to halt the flow of monetary and weaponry aid to the warring parties," the department said in a statement.

Reaction

An expert, with the International Crisis Group, described the actions as a "highly important" step, saying that "targeting the enablers is the correct approach".

She added that, the Colombian government recently passed a law endorsing the anti-mercenary convention, designed to limit years of participation by its nationals in overseas wars and transform national security policy.

Another expert, an expert on mercenaries, called for greater wariness, stating that "sanctions are necessary but insufficient for dealing with widespread use of contractors".

"It’s an illicit economy and operating from the UAE, which is largely insulated from sanctions," he commented. The UAE has been repeatedly implicated of supplying weapons to the paramilitary group, allegations it disputes. "This trend will probably continue," the expert cautioned.