United States Enforces Sanctions on Operation Accused of Channeling South American Fighters to the Sudanese Conflict.

The United States has imposed sanctions on a network of several persons and entities accused of enlisting former Colombian soldiers to combat alongside and instruct a militia force in Sudan the United States claims of genocidal acts.

Operation Structure

Disclosing the sanctions on this week, the US Treasury Department stated the network was primarily made up of individuals and businesses from Colombia.

Scores of former Colombian military personnel have been recruited to go to Sudan to combat beside the RSF paramilitary group, a faction implicated in severe violations such as ethnically targeted slaughter and mass abductions.

Discovery of Participation

The role of these mercenaries first came to light last year, after an inquiry which disclosed that more than 300 retired troops had been recruited to participate in the war – an discovery that prompted an unusual statement of regret from officials in Bogotá.

Colombian ex-soldiers have widely regarded as among the world’s most sought-after mercenaries due to their considerable warzone knowledge resulting from a long-running domestic war, familiarity with Nato equipment, and superior tactical education.

Reported Actions

In the conflict, the Colombians have allegedly instructed underage fighters, taught fighters to pilot drones, and fought directly on the frontlines. A mercenary previously stated that training children was "horrific and irrational" but commented that "sadly, that is the nature of conflict".

Named Entities

Among those sanctioned was a dual national, a dual Colombian-Italian national and ex-soldier located in the United Arab Emirates. The US authorities said he had a pivotal function in hiring and sending mercenaries to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was also sanctioned.

Also on the restricted list was Duque Botero, a individual with Colombian and Spanish citizenship who officials alleged oversaw a company linked to handling funds and payroll for the recruitment operation. "In 2024 and 2025, companies in the United States associated with Duque carried out several money transfers, amounting to millions," the government release noted.

Colombian national Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the other individual to be sanctioned, with the entity she oversaw alleged to have money transfers associated with Duque and his businesses.

"The United States again calls on foreign parties to cease providing monetary and weaponry aid to the combatants," the department said in a statement.

Analyst Commentary

A senior analyst, with the International Crisis Group, described the actions as a "highly important" development, saying that "identifying the recruiters is the proper strategy".

It was also noted that, the Colombian government has enacted a law ratifying the International Convention Against the Recruitment and Use of Mercenaries, designed to limit its citizens' long history in international fights and reshape national security policy.

Sean McFate, a authority on private military contractors, called for greater wariness, noting that "penalties are required yet incomplete for addressing rampant mercenarism".

"It operates in the black market and centered in the Emirates, which is largely insulated from sanctions," he stated. The UAE has been widely accused of arming the RSF, an accusation it has denied. "Expect more Colombian mercenaries," he advised.