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The US government has imposed sanctions on a operation of four people and four firms charged of recruiting former Colombian soldiers to combat alongside and instruct a militia force in Sudan that Washington accuses of committing genocide.

Operation Structure

Disclosing the measures on Tuesday, the American treasury stated the network was largely composed of Colombian nationals and companies.

Hundreds of ex-soldiers from Colombia have reportedly travelled to the Sudanese warzone to operate with the RSF paramilitary group, a group implicated in terrible atrocities including massacres based on ethnicity and mass abductions.

Revelation of Role

The participation of ex-soldiers first came to light last year, following an inquiry which found that hundreds of former soldiers had been hired to participate in the war – an revelation that prompted an rare mea culpa from Colombia’s foreign ministry.

These South American veterans have historically been seen as highly prized fighters in conflict zones due to their vast combat experience gleaned from a long-running domestic war, familiarity with Nato equipment, and high-level combat training.

Role in the Conflict

In the conflict, the Colombians have been accused of teaching underage fighters, provided drone warfare training, and engaged in frontline combat. One source previously stated that instructing minors was "awful and crazy" but added that "unfortunately that’s how war is".

Targeted Persons

Among those sanctioned was a dual national, a individual with dual citizenship and ex-soldier located in the UAE. The government accused him a key part in hiring and sending ex-military personnel to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Oliveros, was penalized as well.

Also on the penalty list was Duque Botero, a dual national who officials alleged oversaw a company implicated in handling funds and payroll for the network. "Recently, companies in the United States associated with Duque carried out several money transfers, amounting to millions," the government release said.

Citizen of Colombia Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the fourth individual to be sanctioned, with the firm she operated accused of money transfers linked to Duque and his businesses.

"Washington reiterates its demand for foreign parties to cease providing funding and arms to the warring parties," the agency announced.

Reaction

Elizabeth Dickinson, with the International Crisis Group, called the actions as a "highly important" step, noting that "targeting the enablers is the proper strategy".

It was also noted that, the Colombian government has enacted a statute ratifying the global treaty against mercenarism, aiming to curb its citizens' long history in foreign conflicts and reshape domestic defense strategy.

Sean McFate, a scholar on the subject, advised additional measures, stating that "penalties are required yet incomplete for combating rampant mercenarism".

"It’s an illicit economy and based out of the UAE, which is largely insulated from sanctions," he commented. The UAE has been widely accused of providing arms to the militia, claims it rejects. "Expect more Colombian mercenaries," the expert cautioned.