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The US government has levied restrictions on a group of four people and four firms accused of hiring former Colombian soldiers to combat alongside and instruct a Sudanese paramilitary group that Washington accuses of acts of genocide.

Operation Structure

Announcing the sanctions on Tuesday, the Treasury stated the network was largely composed of individuals and businesses from Colombia.

Scores of former Colombian military personnel have been recruited to go to the conflict in Sudan to operate with the Sudanese RSF militia, a faction accused of severe violations such as targeted ethnic killings and mass abductions.

Revelation of Role

The role of these mercenaries first came to light the previous year, following an investigation which found that more than 300 ex-military personnel had been recruited to engage in combat – an event that resulted in an unusual statement of regret from officials in Bogotá.

These South American veterans have widely regarded as some of the most in-demand contractors globally due to their extensive battlefield experience gleaned from a long-running domestic war, training on Nato equipment, and elite military instruction.

Activities in Sudan

In Sudan, the contractors have reportedly trained child soldiers, provided drone warfare training, and engaged in frontline combat. An individual involved was quoted as saying that instructing minors was "terrible and insane" but noted that "sadly, that is the nature of conflict".

Named Entities

Among those targeted was a dual national, a dual Colombian-Italian national and retired Colombian military officer located in the United Arab Emirates. The US authorities accused him a central role in recruiting and deploying mercenaries to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was penalized as well.

Also on the sanctions list was Mateo Andrés Duque Botero, a dual national who authorities say managed a business linked to processing money and salaries for the scheme. "Recently, companies in the United States linked to Duque conducted numerous wire transfers, worth millions," the government release noted.

Colombian national Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the fourth individual to be sanctioned, with the company she managed alleged to have money transfers associated with Duque and his companies.

"The US once more urges foreign parties to stop giving funding and arms to the belligerents," the agency said in a statement.

Reaction

An expert, senior analyst at the International Crisis Group, called the actions as a "major" milestone, noting that "calling out those who are doing the contracting is the correct approach".

It was also noted that, Bogotá recently passed a law ratifying the International Convention Against the Recruitment and Use of Mercenaries, designed to limit years of participation by its nationals in international fights and reshape its security approach.

Another expert, a authority on private military contractors, called for greater wariness, saying that "sanctions are necessary but insufficient for combating rampant mercenarism".

"It’s an illicit economy and centered in the Emirates, which is relatively sanction-proof," he commented. The Emirati government has been widely accused of arming the RSF, allegations it disputes. "This trend will probably continue," he advised.