Washington Levies Penalties on Operation Accused of Funneling South American Contractors to the Sudanese Conflict.

The US government has levied restrictions on a group of several persons and entities alleged of hiring former Colombian soldiers to combat alongside and instruct a Sudanese paramilitary group the United States claims of committing genocide.

Group Makeup

Revealing the measures on Tuesday, the American treasury stated the operation was primarily made up of Colombian nationals and companies.

Hundreds of former Colombian military personnel have allegedly journeyed to the Sudanese warzone to operate with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a faction linked to horrific war crimes such as targeted ethnic killings and mass abductions.

Revelation of Role

The involvement of Colombian fighters first came to light last year, following an inquiry which found that hundreds of retired troops had been contracted to participate in the war – an event that led to 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 acquired during years of internal conflict, familiarity with Nato equipment, and elite military instruction.

Role in the Conflict

In Sudan, the mercenaries have been accused of teaching child soldiers, instructed militiamen in drone operation, and engaged in frontline combat. A mercenary was quoted as saying that working with child soldiers was "horrific and irrational" but added that "sadly, that is the nature of conflict".

Sanctioned Individuals

Among those penalized was Álvaro Andrés Quijano Becerra, a individual with dual citizenship and former army officer based in the UAE. The Treasury alleged he played a pivotal function in hiring and sending mercenaries to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was penalized as well.

Also on the penalty list was Mateo Andrés Duque Botero, a dual national who officials alleged managed a business accused of handling funds and payroll for the network. "In 2024 and 2025, American entities connected to Duque conducted several money transfers, amounting to millions," the official announcement said.

Colombian national Mónica Muñoz was the final person to be sanctioned, with the entity she oversaw accused of financial transactions linked to Duque and his companies.

"The United States again calls on foreign parties to cease providing financial and military support to the belligerents," the agency stated.

Analyst Commentary

A senior analyst, senior analyst at the International Crisis Group, called the sanctions as a "highly important" milestone, saying that "identifying the recruiters is the correct approach".

She added that, Colombia ratified a piece of legislation endorsing the International Convention Against the Recruitment and Use of Mercenaries, designed to limit years of participation by its nationals in overseas wars and transform domestic defense strategy.

A mercenary specialist, a authority on private military contractors, advised additional measures, noting that "sanctions are necessary but insufficient for combating the growing mercenary trade".

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