United States Enforces Sanctions on Operation Alleged of Channeling South American Fighters to Sudan.

The United States has imposed sanctions on a operation of several persons and entities accused of enlisting former Colombian soldiers to fight for and train a militia force in Sudan the United States claims of acts of genocide.

Operation Structure

Revealing the measures on this week, the Treasury stated the scheme was mostly comprised of Colombian citizens and firms.

Hundreds of ex-soldiers from Colombia have been recruited to go to the Sudanese warzone to operate with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a force linked to horrific war crimes such as targeted ethnic killings and mass abductions.

Revelation of Role

The involvement of Colombian fighters was first uncovered in 2024, prompted by an inquiry which revealed that hundreds of former soldiers had been contracted to engage in combat – an event that resulted in an rare mea culpa from the Colombian government.

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, familiarity with advanced weaponry, and elite military instruction.

Role in the Conflict

In Sudan, the contractors have been accused of teaching minors, taught fighters to pilot drones, and participated in direct battles. A mercenary previously stated that instructing minors was "terrible and insane" but noted that "regrettably, war operates that way".

Named Entities

Among those sanctioned was a retired Colombian officer, a dual Colombian-Italian national and ex-soldier located in the Dubai. The US authorities alleged he played a central role in hiring and sending ex-military personnel to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was similarly targeted.

Also on the penalty list was Duque Botero, a dual national who authorities say ran a firm linked to managing finances and payments for the network. "In 2024 and 2025, American entities associated with Duque conducted several money transfers, amounting to millions," the Treasury statement said.

Individual Mónica Muñoz was the other individual to be targeted, with the entity she oversaw alleged to have money transfers linked to Duque and his companies.

"Washington reiterates its demand for external actors to cease providing funding and arms to the combatants," the department said in a statement.

Reaction

Elizabeth Dickinson, with the International Crisis Group, labeled the measures as a "very significant" development, noting that "calling out those who are doing the contracting is the correct approach".

It was also noted that, the Colombian government recently passed a law ratifying the anti-mercenary convention, seeking to reduce years of participation by its nationals in foreign conflicts and transform domestic defense strategy.

A mercenary specialist, an expert on mercenaries, advised additional measures, stating that "sanctions are necessary but insufficient for addressing rampant mercenarism".

"This is a shadow economy and operating from Dubai, which is relatively sanction-proof," he stated. The United Arab Emirates has been widely accused of providing arms to the militia, claims it rejects. "More contractors from Colombia are likely," he advised.