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The US government has imposed sanctions on a network of several persons and entities accused of enlisting Colombian mercenaries to combat alongside and instruct a militia force in Sudan that Washington accuses of committing genocide.

Group Makeup

Announcing the restrictions on this week, the US Treasury Department stated the scheme was primarily made up of Colombian nationals and companies.

Numerous of retired Colombian troops have allegedly journeyed to the conflict in Sudan to operate with the Sudanese RSF militia, a faction implicated in horrific war crimes such as ethnically targeted slaughter and mass abductions.

Revelation of Role

The role of these mercenaries initially emerged last year, after an report which revealed that more than 300 former soldiers had been contracted to engage in combat – an discovery that led to an unusual statement of regret from the Colombian government.

These South American veterans have long been considered as highly prized fighters in conflict zones due to their extensive battlefield experience acquired during a long-running domestic war, knowledge of advanced weaponry, and elite military instruction.

Activities in Sudan

In Sudan, the contractors have been accused of teaching child soldiers, provided drone warfare training, and engaged in frontline combat. A mercenary remarked that instructing minors was "horrific and irrational" but commented that "unfortunately that’s how war is".

Sanctioned Individuals

Among those penalized was Álvaro Andrés Quijano Becerra, a dual Colombian-Italian national and former army officer located in the United Arab Emirates. The Treasury said he had a central role in enlisting and transporting former Colombian soldiers to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Oliveros, was similarly targeted.

Also on the penalty list was Duque Botero, a individual with Colombian and Spanish citizenship who the Treasury stated ran a firm linked to managing finances and payments for the network. "Over the past two years, American entities linked to Duque conducted multiple financial transactions, worth millions," the Treasury statement noted.

Citizen of Colombia Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the fourth individual to be penalized, with the company she managed alleged to have financial transactions associated with Duque and his businesses.

"The United States again calls on external actors to cease providing financial and military support to the belligerents," the department announced.

Reaction

An expert, senior analyst at the International Crisis Group, described the actions as a "very significant" step, stating that "calling out those who are doing the contracting is the correct approach".

It was also noted that, Bogotá ratified a piece of legislation approving the anti-mercenary convention, designed to limit decades of Colombian involvement in international fights and transform domestic defense strategy.

Another expert, a scholar on the subject, advised additional measures, saying that "restrictions are needed but not enough for dealing with the growing mercenary trade".

"This is a shadow economy and operating from the UAE, which is relatively sanction-proof," he stated. The UAE has been widely accused of providing arms to the militia, claims it rejects. "This trend will probably continue," McFate warned.