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The US government has levied restrictions on a operation of four people and four firms accused of enlisting former Colombian soldiers to fight for and train a armed faction in Sudan which the US alleges of acts of genocide.

Group Makeup

Announcing the measures on this week, the US Treasury Department stated the operation was largely composed of Colombian citizens and firms.

Scores of ex-soldiers from Colombia have been recruited to go to the Sudanese warzone to operate with the Sudanese RSF militia, a faction implicated in severe violations including ethnically targeted slaughter and large-scale abductions.

Emergence of Involvement

The involvement of Colombian fighters first came to light the previous year, following an inquiry which found that over three hundred ex-military personnel had been hired to participate in the war – an event that prompted an unusual statement of regret from the Colombian government.

Colombian ex-soldiers have long been considered as among the world’s most sought-after mercenaries due to their vast combat experience acquired during decades of civil war, knowledge of advanced weaponry, and superior tactical education.

Activities in Sudan

In the Sudanese theater, the contractors have allegedly instructed underage fighters, instructed militiamen in drone operation, and participated in direct battles. An individual involved was quoted as saying that instructing minors was "awful and crazy" but noted that "unfortunately that’s how war is".

Targeted Persons

Among those targeted was a retired Colombian officer, a individual with dual citizenship and ex-soldier operating from the Dubai. The Treasury said he had a central role in recruiting and deploying mercenaries to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Oliveros, was penalized as well.

Also on the sanctions list was Mateo Duque Botero, a dual Colombian-Spanish citizen who officials alleged ran a firm implicated in processing money and salaries for the network. "Over the past two years, American entities associated with Duque carried out numerous wire transfers, amounting to millions," the official announcement noted.

Colombian national Mónica Muñoz was the other individual to be penalized, with the company she managed accused of money transfers associated with Duque and his companies.

"Washington reiterates its demand for external actors to stop giving financial and military support to the warring parties," the department announced.

Reaction

Elizabeth Dickinson, with the International Crisis Group, labeled the actions as a "very significant" milestone, stating that "identifying the recruiters is the proper strategy".

She added that, Colombia has enacted a law ratifying the International Convention Against the Recruitment and Use of Mercenaries, seeking to reduce years of participation by its nationals in foreign conflicts and transform national security policy.

Another expert, an expert on mercenaries, advised additional measures, noting that "sanctions are necessary but insufficient for addressing widespread use of contractors".

"This is a shadow economy and based out of the Emirates, which is largely insulated from sanctions," he commented. The Emirati government has been widely accused of providing arms to the militia, an accusation it has denied. "This trend will probably continue," he advised.