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The United States has enforced penalties on a operation of several persons and entities accused of enlisting South American contractors to support and educate a armed faction in Sudan that Washington accuses of committing genocide.

Group Makeup

Revealing the restrictions on this week, the American treasury stated the scheme was largely composed of Colombian nationals and companies.

Scores of former Colombian military personnel have reportedly travelled to the Sudanese warzone to combat beside the RSF paramilitary group, a force implicated in severe violations including massacres based on ethnicity and widespread kidnappings.

Revelation of Role

The role of these mercenaries initially emerged in 2024, prompted by an investigation which revealed that over three hundred ex-military personnel had been hired to participate in the war – an revelation that resulted in an unprecedented apology from the Colombian government.

Former Colombian military have long been considered as highly prized fighters in conflict zones due to their vast combat experience resulting from decades of civil war, knowledge of Western military gear, and high-level combat training.

Activities in Sudan

In Sudan, the Colombians have allegedly instructed underage fighters, instructed militiamen in drone operation, and participated in direct battles. An individual involved was quoted as saying that working with child soldiers was "awful and crazy" but noted that "sadly, that is the nature of conflict".

Sanctioned Individuals

Among those penalized was Álvaro Andrés Quijano Becerra, a citizen of both Colombia and Italy and retired Colombian military officer based in the UAE. The Treasury accused him a pivotal function in enlisting and transporting ex-military personnel to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Oliveros, was penalized as well.

Also on the restricted list was Mateo Duque Botero, a dual national who authorities say ran a firm linked to handling funds and payroll for the recruitment operation. "Over the past two years, US-based firms linked to Duque carried out several money transfers, amounting to millions," the Treasury statement noted.

Citizen of Colombia Mónica Muñoz was the fourth individual to be penalized, with the entity she oversaw accused of wire transfers associated with Duque and his operations.

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

Analyst Commentary

Elizabeth Dickinson, senior analyst at the International Crisis Group, labeled the measures as a "highly important" milestone, noting that "targeting the enablers is the correct approach".

It was also noted that, Bogotá has enacted a law endorsing the International Convention Against the Recruitment and Use of Mercenaries, aiming to curb its citizens' long history in foreign conflicts and reshape domestic defense strategy.

Another expert, a scholar on the subject, urged more caution, noting that "restrictions are needed but not enough for addressing the growing mercenary trade".

"It’s an illicit economy and based out of the UAE, which is largely insulated from sanctions," he stated. The UAE has been repeatedly implicated of supplying weapons to the paramilitary group, an accusation it has denied. "More contractors from Colombia are likely," McFate warned.