🔗 Share this article US Imposes Penalties on Group Accused of Channeling South American Mercenaries to the Sudanese Conflict. The Washington has levied restrictions on a network of several persons and entities charged of enlisting Colombian mercenaries to support and educate a Sudanese paramilitary group that Washington accuses of committing genocide. Operation Structure Disclosing the sanctions on this week, the Treasury stated the scheme was primarily made up of individuals and businesses from Colombia. Scores of retired Colombian troops have allegedly journeyed to Sudan to fight alongside the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a group linked to terrible atrocities encompassing targeted ethnic killings and widespread kidnappings. Emergence of Involvement The participation of ex-soldiers first came to light in 2024, after an report which disclosed that hundreds of ex-military personnel had been recruited to fight – an event that led to an unprecedented apology from officials in Bogotá. Former Colombian military have historically been seen as among the world’s most sought-after mercenaries due to their considerable warzone knowledge resulting from decades of civil war, training on Western military gear, and elite military instruction. Reported Actions In the conflict, the contractors have allegedly instructed underage fighters, provided drone warfare training, and fought directly on the frontlines. An individual involved was quoted as saying that instructing minors was "horrific and irrational" but added that "sadly, that is the nature of conflict". Targeted Persons Among those penalized was a retired Colombian officer, a dual Colombian-Italian national and ex-soldier located in the United Arab Emirates. The government alleged he played a key part in recruiting and deploying former Colombian soldiers to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was penalized as well. Also on the sanctions list was Duque Botero, a individual with Colombian and Spanish citizenship who authorities say ran a firm linked to processing money and salaries for the network. "In 2024 and 2025, companies in the United States associated with Duque conducted multiple financial transactions, amounting to millions," the Treasury statement said. Colombian national Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the fourth individual to be penalized, with the company she managed said to have conducted financial transactions associated with Duque and his businesses. "Washington reiterates its demand for foreign parties to stop giving monetary and weaponry aid to the combatants," the Treasury stated. Expert Analysis An expert, with the International Crisis Group, described the measures as a "highly important" development, noting that "identifying the recruiters is the correct approach". It was also noted that, the Colombian government ratified a piece of legislation ratifying the global treaty against mercenarism, designed to limit its citizens' long history in international fights and change domestic defense strategy. A mercenary specialist, an expert on mercenaries, advised additional measures, saying that "penalties are required yet incomplete for addressing rampant mercenarism". "This is a shadow economy and centered in the UAE, which is difficult to penalize," he said. The UAE has been repeatedly implicated of supplying weapons to the paramilitary group, allegations it disputes. "More contractors from Colombia are likely," the expert cautioned.