🔗 Share this article United States Enforces Sanctions on Operation Alleged of Recruiting South American Mercenaries to Sudan. The US government has levied restrictions on a group of four individuals and four companies accused of enlisting Colombian mercenaries to combat alongside and instruct a Sudanese paramilitary group which the US alleges of genocidal acts. Network Composition Announcing the restrictions on Tuesday, the US Treasury Department stated the scheme was largely composed of Colombian nationals and companies. Hundreds of retired Colombian troops have allegedly journeyed to the conflict in Sudan to combat beside the RSF paramilitary group, a group accused of severe violations including ethnically targeted slaughter and widespread kidnappings. Emergence of Involvement The role of these mercenaries first came to light last year, following an inquiry which found that more than 300 ex-military personnel had been hired to engage in combat – an discovery that prompted an unusual statement of regret from officials in Bogotá. These South American veterans have long been considered as highly prized fighters in conflict zones due to their extensive battlefield experience resulting from decades of civil war, knowledge of advanced weaponry, and elite military instruction. Role in the Conflict In the conflict, the mercenaries have been accused of teaching minors, instructed militiamen in drone operation, and engaged in frontline combat. One source previously stated that training children was "terrible and insane" but commented that "sadly, that is the nature of conflict". Sanctioned Individuals Among those penalized was a retired Colombian officer, a individual with dual citizenship and former army officer operating from the UAE. The government said he had a key part in recruiting and deploying mercenaries to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Oliveros, was similarly targeted. Also on the restricted list was Duque Botero, a dual Colombian-Spanish citizen who officials alleged managed a business accused of processing money and salaries for the network. "In 2024 and 2025, companies in the United States associated with Duque engaged in several money transfers, worth millions," the Treasury statement said. Citizen of Colombia Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the other individual to be targeted, with the company she managed alleged to have wire transfers linked to Duque and his companies. "The United States again calls on foreign parties to halt the flow of financial and military support to the belligerents," the Treasury said in a statement. Expert Analysis An expert, from a conflict think tank, called the sanctions as a "very significant" step, stating that "calling out those who are doing the contracting is the right way to go". 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. Another expert, an expert on mercenaries, called for greater wariness, noting that "restrictions are needed but not enough for combating the growing mercenary trade". "It operates in the black market and based out of the Emirates, which is largely insulated from sanctions," he said. The UAE has been widely accused of providing arms to the militia, an accusation it has denied. "Expect more Colombian mercenaries," he advised.