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The United States has imposed sanctions on a operation of several persons and entities charged of recruiting Colombian mercenaries to support and educate a militia force in Sudan that Washington accuses of genocidal acts.

Operation Structure

Announcing the restrictions on this week, the Treasury stated the network was largely composed of individuals and businesses from Colombia.

Hundreds of retired Colombian troops have reportedly travelled to Sudan to fight alongside the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a force accused of terrible atrocities encompassing targeted ethnic killings and widespread kidnappings.

Discovery of Participation

The involvement of Colombian fighters was first uncovered the previous year, prompted by an report which disclosed that hundreds of former soldiers had been hired to fight – 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 acquired during a long-running domestic war, knowledge of advanced weaponry, and elite military instruction.

Role in the Conflict

In Sudan, the mercenaries have allegedly instructed underage fighters, provided drone warfare training, and participated in direct battles. An individual involved previously stated that instructing minors was "terrible and insane" but commented that "sadly, that is the nature of conflict".

Sanctioned Individuals

Among those targeted was a retired Colombian officer, a individual with dual citizenship and former army officer operating from the UAE. The US authorities alleged he played a key part in recruiting and deploying ex-military personnel to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Oliveros, was also sanctioned.

Also on the restricted list was Mateo Andrés Duque Botero, a dual national who the Treasury stated oversaw a company linked to managing finances and payments for the scheme. "Over the past two years, US-based firms associated with Duque conducted multiple financial transactions, worth millions," the Treasury statement stated.

Individual Mónica Muñoz was the final person to be targeted, with the company she managed said to have conducted money transfers connected to Duque and his operations.

"The United States again calls on outside forces to stop giving monetary and weaponry aid to the combatants," the department said in a statement.

Reaction

An expert, senior analyst at the International Crisis Group, labeled the sanctions as a "major" development, noting that "targeting the enablers is the correct approach".

She added that, the Colombian government recently passed a statute endorsing the anti-mercenary convention, designed to limit its citizens' long history in international fights and transform its security approach.

Sean McFate, a scholar on the subject, advised additional measures, stating that "sanctions are necessary but insufficient for combating the growing mercenary trade".

"It operates in the black market and operating from the UAE, which is difficult to penalize," he commented. The UAE has been widely accused of arming the RSF, allegations it disputes. "This trend will probably continue," McFate warned.