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The US government has imposed sanctions on a operation of several persons and entities alleged of recruiting South American contractors to fight for and train a Sudanese paramilitary group which the US alleges of acts of genocide.

Group Makeup

Disclosing the restrictions on this week, the US Treasury Department stated the scheme was mostly comprised of Colombian nationals and companies.

Numerous of retired Colombian troops have been recruited to go to the conflict in Sudan to combat beside the RSF paramilitary group, a group accused of terrible atrocities encompassing targeted ethnic killings and widespread kidnappings.

Revelation of Role

The role of these mercenaries initially emerged in 2024, following an report which revealed that over three hundred ex-military personnel had been recruited to engage in combat – an revelation that resulted in an unprecedented apology from officials in Bogotá.

These South American veterans have widely regarded as among the world’s most sought-after mercenaries due to their vast combat experience acquired during years of internal conflict, familiarity with Nato equipment, and elite military instruction.

Activities in Sudan

In the Sudanese theater, the contractors have allegedly instructed child soldiers, provided drone warfare training, and fought directly on the frontlines. A mercenary remarked that working with child soldiers was "awful and crazy" but added that "regrettably, war operates that way".

Sanctioned Individuals

Among those targeted was a dual national, a citizen of both Colombia and Italy and former army officer located in the Dubai. The US authorities said he had a key part in enlisting and transporting ex-military personnel to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Oliveros, was penalized as well.

Also on the sanctions list was Duque Botero, a dual national who officials alleged oversaw a company implicated in handling funds and payroll for the network. "In 2024 and 2025, companies in the United States connected to Duque conducted several money transfers, totalling millions of US dollars," the government release said.

Individual Mónica Muñoz was the final person to be targeted, with the firm she operated accused of financial transactions associated with Duque and his businesses.

"Washington reiterates its demand for external actors to halt the flow of monetary and weaponry aid to the belligerents," the agency stated.

Expert Analysis

A senior analyst, with the International Crisis Group, labeled the measures as a "major" step, stating that "identifying the recruiters is the correct approach".

She added that, the Colombian government ratified a piece of legislation endorsing the International Convention Against the Recruitment and Use of Mercenaries, designed to limit its citizens' long history in overseas wars and reshape national security policy.

Another expert, a authority on private military contractors, advised additional measures, noting that "sanctions are necessary but insufficient for addressing widespread use of contractors".

"It’s an illicit economy and centered in the Emirates, which is largely insulated from sanctions," he commented. The Emirati government has been frequently alleged of supplying weapons to the paramilitary group, allegations it disputes. "This trend will probably continue," the expert cautioned.