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The United States has imposed sanctions on a network of several persons and entities accused of enlisting Colombian mercenaries to support and educate a armed faction in Sudan the United States claims of acts of genocide.

Group Makeup

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

Scores of ex-soldiers from Colombia have been recruited to go to the conflict in Sudan to combat beside the Sudanese RSF militia, a group linked to terrible atrocities such as massacres based on ethnicity and mass abductions.

Revelation of Role

The involvement of Colombian fighters first came to light last year, prompted by an inquiry which found that over three hundred retired troops had been hired to fight – an revelation that led to an unprecedented apology from Colombia’s foreign ministry.

Colombian ex-soldiers have widely regarded as highly prized fighters in conflict zones due to their considerable warzone knowledge acquired during a long-running domestic war, knowledge of advanced weaponry, and high-level combat training.

Role in the Conflict

In the Sudanese theater, the mercenaries have allegedly instructed underage fighters, taught fighters to pilot drones, and engaged in frontline combat. One source previously stated that training children was "terrible and insane" but added that "regrettably, war operates that way".

Sanctioned Individuals

Among those penalized was a retired Colombian officer, a citizen of both Colombia and Italy and ex-soldier located in the United Arab Emirates. The US authorities alleged he played a key part in enlisting and transporting mercenaries to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was penalized as well.

Also on the penalty list was Mateo Duque Botero, a dual national who the Treasury stated ran a firm accused of processing money and salaries for the network. "Over the past two years, companies in the United States associated with Duque conducted multiple financial transactions, totalling millions of US dollars," the official announcement stated.

Citizen of Colombia Mónica Muñoz was the other individual to be targeted, with the company she managed alleged to have wire transfers connected to Duque and his businesses.

"The United States again calls on external actors to cease providing funding and arms to the warring parties," the Treasury stated.

Reaction

Elizabeth Dickinson, with the International Crisis Group, labeled the measures as a "very significant" step, saying that "identifying the recruiters is the right way to go".

It was also noted that, Colombia has enacted a piece of legislation approving the International Convention Against the Recruitment and Use of Mercenaries, aiming to curb decades of Colombian involvement in overseas wars and transform domestic defense strategy.

A mercenary specialist, a scholar on the subject, urged more caution, saying that "restrictions are needed but not enough for dealing with widespread use of contractors".

"It’s an illicit economy and centered in Dubai, which is largely insulated from sanctions," he said. The United Arab Emirates has been widely accused of arming the RSF, claims it rejects. "Expect more Colombian mercenaries," he advised.