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The US government has levied restrictions on a operation of several persons and entities charged of hiring former Colombian soldiers to fight for and train a militia force in Sudan that Washington accuses of genocidal acts.

Network Composition

Revealing the restrictions on this week, the American treasury stated the operation was primarily made up of Colombian nationals and companies.

Hundreds of former Colombian military personnel have been recruited to go to the Sudanese warzone to fight alongside the Sudanese RSF militia, a group accused of severe violations encompassing ethnically targeted slaughter and large-scale abductions.

Revelation of Role

The participation of ex-soldiers initially emerged the previous year, after an report which disclosed that over three hundred former soldiers had been hired to fight – an revelation that prompted an unprecedented apology from the Colombian government.

Former Colombian military have widely regarded as among the world’s most sought-after mercenaries due to their extensive battlefield experience gleaned from years of internal conflict, familiarity with Western military gear, and high-level combat training.

Role in the Conflict

In the Sudanese theater, the contractors have been accused of teaching child soldiers, provided drone warfare training, and participated in direct battles. One source previously stated that instructing minors was "horrific and irrational" but commented that "unfortunately that’s how war is".

Sanctioned Individuals

Among those sanctioned was a dual national, a citizen of both Colombia and Italy and former army officer located in the UAE. The Treasury accused him a key part in hiring and sending former Colombian soldiers to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Oliveros, was similarly targeted.

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. "Recently, US-based firms associated with Duque carried out numerous wire transfers, worth millions," the government release noted.

Colombian national Mónica Muñoz was the fourth individual to be sanctioned, with the firm she operated said to have conducted money transfers linked to Duque and his operations.

"The US once more urges foreign parties to cease providing financial and military support to the combatants," the agency said in a statement.

Reaction

An expert, from a conflict think tank, described the sanctions as a "major" step, saying that "calling out those who are doing the contracting is the correct approach".

Furthermore, Bogotá recently passed a law endorsing the global treaty against mercenarism, seeking to reduce decades of Colombian involvement in foreign conflicts and transform its security approach.

Another expert, a scholar on the subject, advised additional measures, noting that "penalties are required yet incomplete for combating widespread use of contractors".

"This is a shadow economy and centered in the Emirates, which is relatively sanction-proof," he said. The Emirati government has been frequently alleged of supplying weapons to the paramilitary group, allegations it disputes. "More contractors from Colombia are likely," he advised.