🔗 Share this article Washington Levies Penalties on Group Alleged of Funneling South American Mercenaries to Sudan. The United States has levied restrictions on a network of four individuals and four companies accused of recruiting South American contractors to fight for and train a Sudanese paramilitary group that Washington accuses of committing genocide. Network Composition Revealing the restrictions on this week, the US Treasury Department stated the scheme was largely composed of individuals and businesses from Colombia. Scores of ex-soldiers from Colombia have reportedly travelled to the conflict in Sudan to fight alongside the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a group implicated in severe violations such as massacres based on ethnicity and widespread kidnappings. Discovery of Participation The involvement of Colombian fighters was first uncovered last year, after an inquiry which disclosed that over three hundred retired troops had been recruited to participate in the war – an revelation that led to an unusual statement of regret from officials in Bogotá. These South American veterans have widely regarded as some of the most in-demand contractors globally due to their considerable warzone knowledge resulting from a long-running domestic war, knowledge of Nato equipment, and high-level combat training. Reported Actions In the conflict, the contractors have been accused of teaching child soldiers, provided drone warfare training, and fought directly on the frontlines. An individual involved remarked that training children was "horrific and irrational" but added that "sadly, that is the nature of conflict". Sanctioned Individuals Among those sanctioned was a retired Colombian officer, a dual Colombian-Italian national and former army officer located in the United Arab Emirates. The US authorities alleged he played a key part in enlisting and transporting ex-military personnel to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Oliveros, was also sanctioned. Also on the sanctions list was Mateo Duque Botero, a dual Colombian-Spanish citizen who authorities say oversaw a company implicated in handling funds and payroll for the recruitment operation. "In 2024 and 2025, US-based firms connected to Duque conducted numerous wire transfers, amounting to millions," the government release noted. Colombian national Mónica Muñoz was the fourth individual to be sanctioned, with the firm she operated accused of financial transactions connected to Duque and his operations. "The US once more urges outside forces to stop giving funding and arms to the belligerents," the agency said in a statement. Expert Analysis A senior analyst, from a conflict think tank, described the measures as a "very significant" step, noting that "identifying the recruiters is the correct approach". Furthermore, the Colombian government ratified a law ratifying the global treaty against mercenarism, designed to limit decades of Colombian involvement in foreign conflicts and change its security approach. Sean McFate, an expert on mercenaries, advised additional measures, noting that "restrictions are needed but not enough for addressing rampant mercenarism". "It’s an illicit economy and centered in the Emirates, which is largely insulated from sanctions," he stated. The Emirati government has been frequently alleged of supplying weapons to the paramilitary group, claims it rejects. "Expect more Colombian mercenaries," he advised.