🔗 Share this article

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

Network Composition

Announcing the measures on this week, the American treasury stated the operation was largely composed of individuals and businesses from Colombia.

Hundreds of former Colombian military personnel have reportedly travelled to the conflict in Sudan to fight alongside the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a faction implicated in horrific war crimes including targeted ethnic killings and mass abductions.

Revelation of Role

The participation of ex-soldiers initially emerged in 2024, prompted by an report which found that over three hundred ex-military personnel had been hired to participate in the war – an discovery that led to an unprecedented apology from Colombia’s foreign ministry.

These South American veterans have long been considered as some of the most in-demand contractors globally due to their vast combat experience gleaned from a long-running domestic war, knowledge of advanced weaponry, and high-level combat training.

Activities in Sudan

In the conflict, the contractors have allegedly instructed child soldiers, taught fighters to pilot drones, and participated in direct battles. A mercenary previously stated that instructing minors was "terrible and insane" but noted that "unfortunately that’s how war is".

Targeted Persons

Among those targeted was a retired Colombian officer, a individual with dual citizenship and former army officer based in the Dubai. The US authorities alleged he played a pivotal function in recruiting and deploying mercenaries to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was penalized as well.

Also on the penalty list was Duque Botero, a dual Colombian-Spanish citizen who the Treasury stated oversaw a company accused of processing money and salaries for the recruitment operation. "Over the past two years, companies in the United States associated with Duque carried out multiple financial transactions, amounting to millions," the Treasury statement stated.

Citizen of Colombia Mónica Muñoz was the final person to be targeted, with the firm she operated accused of wire transfers associated with Duque and his companies.

"The US once more urges external actors to cease providing financial and military support to the belligerents," the agency announced.

Analyst Commentary

A senior analyst, with the International Crisis Group, called the actions as a "highly important" step, stating that "targeting the enablers is the proper strategy".

It was also noted that, Colombia has enacted a law ratifying the anti-mercenary convention, aiming to curb decades of Colombian involvement in overseas wars and transform national security policy.

A mercenary specialist, an expert on mercenaries, urged more caution, noting that "restrictions are needed but not enough for addressing rampant mercenarism".

"It operates in the black market and based out of the Emirates, which is largely insulated from sanctions," he said. The UAE has been frequently alleged of arming the RSF, claims it rejects. "This trend will probably continue," McFate warned.