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The US government has levied restrictions on a operation of four individuals and four companies charged of hiring South American contractors to combat alongside and instruct a militia force in Sudan which the US alleges of genocidal acts.

Group Makeup

Announcing the measures on Tuesday, the Treasury stated the operation was primarily made up of Colombian citizens and firms.

Scores of ex-soldiers from Colombia have allegedly journeyed to Sudan to fight alongside the Sudanese RSF militia, a group accused of severe violations encompassing ethnically targeted slaughter and mass abductions.

Revelation of Role

The role of these mercenaries first came to light in 2024, following an report which revealed that over three hundred former soldiers had been hired to participate in the war – an discovery that led to an rare mea culpa from officials in Bogotá.

Colombian ex-soldiers have widely regarded as highly prized fighters in conflict zones due to their considerable warzone knowledge acquired during years of internal conflict, knowledge of advanced weaponry, 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. A mercenary previously stated that working with child soldiers was "awful and crazy" but noted that "unfortunately that’s how war is".

Named Entities

Among those penalized was a dual national, a individual with dual citizenship and ex-soldier based in the Dubai. The government alleged he played a key part in recruiting and deploying ex-military personnel to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was also sanctioned.

Also on the sanctions list was Mateo Duque Botero, a individual with Colombian and Spanish citizenship who authorities say oversaw a company accused of processing money and salaries for the scheme. "Over the past two years, American entities connected to Duque engaged in several money transfers, worth millions," the official announcement said.

Citizen of Colombia Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the fourth individual to be targeted, with the firm she operated said to have conducted financial transactions associated with Duque and his businesses.

"Washington reiterates its demand for outside forces to halt the flow of funding and arms to the belligerents," the department said in a statement.

Analyst Commentary

An expert, with the International Crisis Group, described the actions as a "very significant" milestone, stating that "calling out those who are doing the contracting is the proper strategy".

She added that, Bogotá ratified a piece of legislation approving the International Convention Against the Recruitment and Use of Mercenaries, seeking to reduce decades of Colombian involvement in overseas wars and reshape its security approach.

A mercenary specialist, a authority on private military contractors, called for greater wariness, noting that "penalties are required yet incomplete for addressing the growing mercenary trade".

"It operates in the black market and operating from Dubai, which is relatively sanction-proof," he said. The Emirati government has been frequently alleged of supplying weapons to the paramilitary group, claims it rejects. "Expect more Colombian mercenaries," the expert cautioned.