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The US government has imposed sanctions on a network of four people and four firms accused of recruiting South American contractors to fight for and train a armed faction in Sudan that Washington accuses of genocidal acts.

Operation Structure

Disclosing the sanctions on this week, the US Treasury Department stated the operation was primarily made up of Colombian citizens and firms.

Numerous of retired Colombian troops have allegedly journeyed to Sudan to fight alongside the Sudanese RSF militia, a group linked to horrific war crimes such as targeted ethnic killings and widespread kidnappings.

Revelation of Role

The participation of ex-soldiers first came to light the previous year, after an report which found that over three hundred ex-military personnel had been hired to participate in the war – an event that led to an unusual statement of regret from the Colombian government.

These South American veterans have long been considered as among the world’s most sought-after mercenaries due to their considerable warzone knowledge resulting from years of internal conflict, familiarity with Nato equipment, and elite military instruction.

Reported Actions

In Sudan, the mercenaries have allegedly instructed child soldiers, taught fighters to pilot drones, and fought directly on the frontlines. An individual involved remarked that instructing minors was "horrific and irrational" but commented that "sadly, that is the nature of conflict".

Named Entities

Among those penalized was Álvaro Andrés Quijano Becerra, a dual Colombian-Italian national and retired Colombian military officer operating from the United Arab Emirates. The Treasury alleged he played a central role in hiring and sending ex-military personnel to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Oliveros, was also sanctioned.

Also on the restricted list was Mateo Duque Botero, a individual with Colombian and Spanish citizenship who officials alleged ran a firm implicated in processing money and salaries for the scheme. "Recently, American entities linked to Duque engaged in several money transfers, totalling millions of US dollars," the official announcement noted.

Colombian national Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the fourth individual to be targeted, with the entity she oversaw said to have conducted wire transfers connected to Duque and his businesses.

"The United States again calls on foreign parties to stop giving funding and arms to the combatants," the Treasury stated.

Expert Analysis

A senior analyst, from a conflict think tank, described the measures as a "major" step, stating that "targeting the enablers is the proper strategy".

It was also noted that, Bogotá ratified a law endorsing the International Convention Against the Recruitment and Use of Mercenaries, designed to limit years of participation by its nationals in foreign conflicts and reshape national security policy.

Sean McFate, a authority on private military contractors, called for greater wariness, noting that "penalties are required yet incomplete for combating the growing mercenary trade".

"This is a shadow economy and centered in the UAE, which is largely insulated from sanctions," he said. The United Arab Emirates has been widely accused of providing arms to the militia, claims it rejects. "Expect more Colombian mercenaries," the expert cautioned.