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The Washington has levied restrictions on a operation of several persons and entities charged of enlisting South American contractors to support and educate a Sudanese paramilitary group that Washington accuses of acts of genocide.

Group Makeup

Disclosing the sanctions on Tuesday, the Treasury stated the scheme was primarily made up of Colombian citizens and firms.

Hundreds of former Colombian military personnel have reportedly travelled to the Sudanese warzone to operate with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a faction linked to horrific war crimes encompassing targeted ethnic killings and large-scale abductions.

Emergence of Involvement

The participation of ex-soldiers initially emerged in 2024, after an report which disclosed that over three hundred ex-military personnel had been recruited to participate in the war – an revelation that led to an rare mea culpa from Colombia’s foreign ministry.

These South American veterans have widely regarded as among the world’s most sought-after mercenaries due to their vast combat experience acquired during a long-running domestic war, training on advanced weaponry, and superior tactical education.

Reported Actions

In the Sudanese theater, the contractors have been accused of teaching underage fighters, provided drone warfare training, and fought directly on the frontlines. A mercenary previously stated that training children was "terrible and insane" but noted that "sadly, that is the nature of conflict".

Named Entities

Among those targeted was a retired Colombian officer, a citizen of both Colombia and Italy and former army officer based in the Dubai. The Treasury accused him a pivotal function in recruiting and deploying ex-military personnel to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was penalized as well.

Also on the sanctions list was Mateo Andrés Duque Botero, a individual with Colombian and Spanish citizenship who authorities say oversaw a company linked to handling funds and payroll for the scheme. "Over the past two years, US-based firms connected to Duque engaged in several money transfers, amounting to millions," the official announcement noted.

Individual Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the other individual to be penalized, with the company she managed said to have conducted money transfers connected to Duque and his businesses.

"The US once more urges outside forces to cease providing monetary and weaponry aid to the warring parties," the Treasury said in a statement.

Reaction

An expert, from a conflict think tank, called the sanctions as a "major" development, saying that "identifying the recruiters is the right way to go".

Furthermore, the Colombian government has enacted a statute endorsing the International Convention Against the Recruitment and Use of Mercenaries, aiming to curb its citizens' long history in international fights and reshape national security policy.

A mercenary specialist, an expert on mercenaries, urged more caution, noting that "restrictions are needed but not enough for addressing the growing mercenary trade".

"This is a shadow economy and centered in the Emirates, which is largely insulated from sanctions," he commented. The United Arab Emirates has been frequently alleged of arming the RSF, claims it rejects. "Expect more Colombian mercenaries," he advised.