US Imposes Penalties on Network Alleged of Funneling South American Fighters to the Sudanese Conflict.

The US government has levied restrictions on a operation of four people and four firms alleged of enlisting Colombian mercenaries to fight for and train a militia force in Sudan the United States claims of acts of genocide.

Operation Structure

Announcing the restrictions on Tuesday, the US Treasury Department stated the operation was mostly comprised of individuals and businesses from Colombia.

Numerous of retired Colombian troops have been recruited to go to the Sudanese warzone to operate with the RSF paramilitary group, a group accused of severe violations including ethnically targeted slaughter and widespread kidnappings.

Discovery of Participation

The participation of ex-soldiers was first uncovered the previous year, following an inquiry which revealed that more than 300 former soldiers had been recruited to engage in combat – an revelation that led to an unprecedented apology from Colombia’s foreign ministry.

These South American veterans have long been considered as among the world’s most sought-after mercenaries due to their considerable warzone knowledge resulting from a long-running domestic war, knowledge of Nato equipment, and superior tactical education.

Reported Actions

In the conflict, the mercenaries have reportedly trained child soldiers, provided drone warfare training, and fought directly on the frontlines. An individual involved remarked that instructing minors was "horrific and irrational" but noted that "unfortunately that’s how war is".

Targeted Persons

Among those targeted was a dual national, a citizen of both Colombia and Italy and ex-soldier operating from the UAE. The US authorities alleged he played a key part in enlisting and transporting ex-military personnel to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Oliveros, was similarly targeted.

Also on the penalty list was Mateo Andrés Duque Botero, a individual with Colombian and Spanish citizenship who authorities say managed a business linked to managing finances and payments for the recruitment operation. "In 2024 and 2025, American entities connected to Duque carried out numerous wire transfers, totalling millions of US dollars," the government release noted.

Citizen of Colombia Mónica Muñoz was the fourth individual to be penalized, with the company she managed alleged to have financial transactions connected to Duque and his businesses.

"The United States again calls on foreign parties to halt the flow of funding and arms to the warring parties," the agency said in a statement.

Reaction

A senior analyst, senior analyst at the International Crisis Group, labeled the actions as a "very significant" milestone, saying that "targeting the enablers is the right way to go".

Furthermore, Colombia recently passed a statute ratifying the International Convention Against the Recruitment and Use of Mercenaries, seeking to reduce years of participation by its nationals in foreign conflicts and reshape domestic defense strategy.

Another expert, an expert on mercenaries, called for greater wariness, noting that "sanctions are necessary but insufficient for addressing widespread use of contractors".

"It’s an illicit economy and operating from Dubai, which is difficult to penalize," he stated. The Emirati government has been frequently alleged of supplying weapons to the paramilitary group, an accusation it has denied. "More contractors from Colombia are likely," the expert cautioned.