🔗 Share this article Washington Levies Sanctions on Operation Alleged of Funneling South American Contractors to the Sudanese Conflict. The Washington has levied restrictions on a network of four people and four firms charged of hiring South American contractors to combat alongside and instruct a Sudanese paramilitary group that Washington accuses of genocidal acts. Group Makeup Announcing the sanctions on this week, the Treasury stated the scheme was mostly comprised of Colombian nationals and companies. Numerous of former Colombian military personnel have been recruited to go to Sudan to combat beside the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a group accused of horrific war crimes including ethnically targeted slaughter and large-scale abductions. Emergence of Involvement The role of these mercenaries first came to light in 2024, prompted by an investigation which revealed that more than 300 former soldiers had been hired to fight – an event that prompted an unusual statement of regret from the Colombian government. Colombian ex-soldiers have long been considered as highly prized fighters in conflict zones due to their extensive battlefield experience gleaned from decades of civil war, familiarity with Nato equipment, and elite military instruction. Activities in Sudan In Sudan, the contractors have reportedly trained child soldiers, provided drone warfare training, and fought directly on the frontlines. One source remarked that working with child soldiers was "terrible and insane" but added that "regrettably, war operates that way". Named Entities Among those penalized was a dual national, a individual with dual citizenship and former army officer based in the United Arab Emirates. The government accused him a pivotal function in recruiting and deploying former Colombian soldiers to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Oliveros, was penalized as well. Also on the penalty list was Duque Botero, a dual Colombian-Spanish citizen who authorities say ran a firm linked to managing finances and payments for the scheme. "In 2024 and 2025, companies in the United States connected to Duque carried out numerous wire transfers, worth millions," the official announcement noted. Individual Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the final person to be penalized, with the entity she oversaw alleged to have wire transfers linked to Duque and his companies. "The US once more urges foreign parties to stop giving monetary and weaponry aid to the warring parties," the Treasury stated. Reaction Elizabeth Dickinson, from a conflict think tank, called the measures as a "very significant" step, noting that "calling out those who are doing the contracting is the correct approach". She added that, the Colombian government recently passed a piece of legislation ratifying the global treaty against mercenarism, seeking to reduce its citizens' long history in international fights and change domestic defense strategy. A mercenary specialist, an expert on mercenaries, advised additional measures, noting that "sanctions are necessary but insufficient for combating the growing mercenary trade". "This is a shadow economy and centered in Dubai, which is relatively sanction-proof," he said. The UAE has been frequently alleged of providing arms to the militia, allegations it disputes. "More contractors from Colombia are likely," McFate warned.