Washington Levies Sanctions on Group Accused of Recruiting South American Mercenaries to the Sudanese Conflict.

The Washington has levied restrictions on a group of several persons and entities charged of recruiting South American contractors to combat alongside and instruct a Sudanese paramilitary group the United States claims of committing genocide.

Group Makeup

Disclosing the restrictions on Tuesday, the US Treasury Department stated the network was primarily made up of individuals and businesses from Colombia.

Hundreds of former Colombian military personnel have reportedly travelled to the Sudanese warzone to fight alongside the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a faction implicated in horrific war crimes including massacres based on ethnicity and large-scale abductions.

Revelation of Role

The participation of ex-soldiers first came to light in 2024, prompted by an report which disclosed that more than 300 retired troops had been recruited to fight – an discovery that led to an unprecedented apology from officials in Bogotá.

These South American veterans have widely regarded as highly prized fighters in conflict zones due to their considerable warzone knowledge gleaned from years of internal conflict, training on Nato equipment, and superior tactical education.

Reported Actions

In Sudan, the Colombians have been accused of teaching underage fighters, provided drone warfare training, and participated in direct battles. One source remarked that training children was "awful and crazy" but commented that "regrettably, war operates that way".

Named Entities

Among those targeted was a dual national, a citizen of both Colombia and Italy and retired Colombian military officer located in the United Arab Emirates. The US authorities alleged he played a key part in recruiting and deploying former Colombian soldiers to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was penalized as well.

Also on the restricted list was Duque Botero, a individual with Colombian and Spanish citizenship who officials alleged ran a firm accused of processing money and salaries for the recruitment operation. "In 2024 and 2025, American entities associated with Duque engaged in numerous wire transfers, totalling millions of US dollars," the Treasury statement noted.

Citizen of Colombia Mónica Muñoz was the other individual to be sanctioned, with the firm she operated accused of wire transfers linked to Duque and his operations.

"Washington reiterates its demand for outside forces to stop giving funding and arms to the warring parties," the agency announced.

Expert Analysis

Elizabeth Dickinson, senior analyst at the International Crisis Group, described the actions as a "major" milestone, saying that "identifying the recruiters is the right way to go".

It was also noted that, the Colombian government ratified a statute endorsing the International Convention Against the Recruitment and Use of Mercenaries, aiming to curb decades of Colombian involvement in international fights and change its security approach.

Sean McFate, an expert on mercenaries, urged more caution, noting that "restrictions are needed but not enough for addressing widespread use of contractors".

"This is a shadow economy and centered in the Emirates, which is largely insulated from sanctions," he stated. The United Arab Emirates has been repeatedly implicated of arming the RSF, allegations it disputes. "Expect more Colombian mercenaries," McFate warned.