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The US government has enforced penalties on a group of four people and four firms charged of enlisting South American contractors to combat alongside and instruct a militia force in Sudan which the US alleges of acts of genocide.

Group Makeup

Disclosing the sanctions on this week, the Treasury stated the operation was largely composed of individuals and businesses from Colombia.

Numerous of former Colombian military personnel have allegedly journeyed to Sudan to operate with the RSF paramilitary group, a group linked to horrific war crimes including targeted ethnic killings and mass abductions.

Revelation of Role

The role of these mercenaries initially emerged in 2024, following an investigation which disclosed that over three hundred retired troops had been contracted to participate in the war – an discovery that led to an rare mea culpa from Colombia’s foreign ministry.

Colombian ex-soldiers have historically been seen as highly prized fighters in conflict zones due to their extensive battlefield experience acquired during years of internal conflict, knowledge of Nato equipment, and superior tactical education.

Role in the Conflict

In the conflict, the Colombians have reportedly trained minors, taught fighters to pilot drones, and fought directly on the frontlines. One source previously stated that training children was "horrific and irrational" but commented that "unfortunately that’s how war is".

Targeted Persons

Among those penalized was a retired Colombian officer, a citizen of both Colombia and Italy and retired Colombian military officer based in the United Arab Emirates. The Treasury accused him a key part in recruiting and deploying ex-military personnel to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Oliveros, was penalized as well.

Also on the restricted list was Mateo Andrés Duque Botero, a dual national who the Treasury stated oversaw a company linked to managing finances and payments for the scheme. "Over the past two years, American entities linked to Duque conducted numerous wire transfers, worth millions," the government release stated.

Individual Mónica Muñoz was the final person to be sanctioned, with the firm she operated accused of money transfers associated with Duque and his businesses.

"Washington reiterates its demand for foreign parties to stop giving funding and arms to the warring parties," the Treasury said in a statement.

Expert Analysis

An expert, with the International Crisis Group, called the sanctions as a "highly important" development, stating that "calling out those who are doing the contracting is the correct approach".

She added that, the Colombian government recently passed a statute approving the global treaty against mercenarism, seeking to reduce years of participation by its nationals in foreign conflicts and change domestic defense strategy.

Another expert, a authority on private military contractors, advised additional measures, noting that "penalties are required yet incomplete for dealing with widespread use of contractors".

"It operates in the black market and centered in Dubai, which is difficult to penalize," he commented. The Emirati government has been widely accused of supplying weapons to the paramilitary group, claims it rejects. "Expect more Colombian mercenaries," the expert cautioned.