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The US government has levied restrictions on a operation of several persons and entities alleged of enlisting former Colombian soldiers to fight for and train a Sudanese paramilitary group that Washington accuses of committing genocide.

Operation Structure

Disclosing the measures on this week, the Treasury stated the scheme was primarily made up of Colombian nationals and companies.

Hundreds of retired Colombian troops have been recruited to go to the conflict in Sudan to operate with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a force linked to severe violations including massacres based on ethnicity and mass abductions.

Revelation of Role

The involvement of Colombian fighters was first uncovered last year, prompted by an inquiry which revealed that over three hundred ex-military personnel had been contracted to fight – an discovery that resulted in an rare mea culpa from the Colombian government.

These South American veterans have long been considered as among the world’s most sought-after mercenaries due to their extensive battlefield experience acquired during a long-running domestic war, knowledge of Nato equipment, and superior tactical education.

Activities in Sudan

In the conflict, the Colombians have allegedly instructed minors, instructed militiamen in drone operation, and fought directly on the frontlines. A mercenary was quoted as saying that working with child soldiers was "terrible and insane" but noted that "unfortunately that’s how war is".

Sanctioned Individuals

Among those targeted was a dual national, a individual with dual citizenship and ex-soldier operating from the UAE. The Treasury said he had a pivotal function in hiring and sending ex-military personnel to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was penalized as well.

Also on the sanctions list was Duque Botero, a dual Colombian-Spanish citizen who authorities say oversaw a company implicated in managing finances and payments for the scheme. "Over the past two years, American entities connected to Duque conducted several money transfers, amounting to millions," the official announcement noted.

Individual Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the final person to be targeted, with the company she managed accused of money transfers connected to Duque and his businesses.

"The United States again calls on foreign parties to halt the flow of funding and arms to the combatants," the department stated.

Expert Analysis

An expert, senior analyst at the International Crisis Group, called the sanctions as a "very significant" milestone, saying that "identifying the recruiters is the proper strategy".

Furthermore, Bogotá has enacted a piece of legislation ratifying the anti-mercenary convention, designed to limit its citizens' long history in foreign conflicts and transform its security approach.

Sean McFate, an expert on mercenaries, urged more caution, saying that "sanctions are necessary but insufficient for combating the growing mercenary trade".

"This is a shadow economy and centered in the UAE, which is difficult to penalize," he commented. The United Arab Emirates has been repeatedly implicated of arming the RSF, an accusation it has denied. "Expect more Colombian mercenaries," he advised.