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The United States has enforced penalties on a operation of several persons and entities accused of recruiting Colombian mercenaries to support and educate a armed faction in Sudan that Washington accuses of committing genocide.

Network Composition

Announcing the restrictions on Tuesday, the Treasury stated the scheme was largely composed of Colombian citizens and firms.

Numerous of retired Colombian troops have reportedly travelled to Sudan to fight alongside the RSF paramilitary group, a faction implicated in severe violations such as targeted ethnic killings and large-scale abductions.

Revelation of Role

The involvement of Colombian fighters first came to light last year, after an investigation which disclosed that more than 300 former soldiers had been hired to participate in the war – an event that led to an unusual statement of regret from the Colombian government.

Colombian ex-soldiers 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 Nato equipment, and superior tactical education.

Role in the Conflict

In the Sudanese theater, the mercenaries have reportedly trained minors, taught fighters to pilot drones, and participated in direct battles. One source previously stated that working with child soldiers was "horrific and irrational" but added that "unfortunately that’s how war is".

Targeted Persons

Among those penalized was Álvaro Andrés Quijano Becerra, a individual with dual citizenship and former army officer based in the UAE. The government alleged he played a pivotal function in recruiting and deploying ex-military personnel to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was similarly targeted.

Also on the sanctions list was Mateo Andrés Duque Botero, a individual with Colombian and Spanish citizenship who authorities say managed a business accused of managing finances and payments for the recruitment operation. "Over the past two years, American entities linked to Duque conducted multiple financial transactions, worth millions," the official announcement stated.

Citizen of Colombia Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the fourth individual to be sanctioned, with the company she managed said to have conducted wire transfers connected to Duque and his businesses.

"The United States again calls on foreign parties to halt the flow of financial and military support to the combatants," the Treasury announced.

Reaction

An expert, with the International Crisis Group, described the actions as a "highly important" step, stating that "targeting the enablers is the proper strategy".

Furthermore, Bogotá has enacted a piece of legislation ratifying the International Convention Against the Recruitment and Use of Mercenaries, seeking to reduce years of participation by its nationals in foreign conflicts and change national security policy.

Sean McFate, an expert on mercenaries, advised additional measures, saying that "restrictions are needed but not enough for dealing with widespread use of contractors".

"It operates in the black market and operating from Dubai, which is difficult to penalize," he stated. The Emirati government has been widely accused of arming the RSF, an accusation it has denied. "More contractors from Colombia are likely," he advised.