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The US government has levied restrictions on a operation of four people and four firms charged of hiring former Colombian soldiers to support and educate a armed faction in Sudan which the US alleges of acts of genocide.

Group Makeup

Disclosing the restrictions on Tuesday, the Treasury stated the operation was largely composed of individuals and businesses from Colombia.

Scores of former Colombian military personnel have reportedly travelled to the conflict in Sudan to fight alongside the Sudanese RSF militia, a force accused of severe violations encompassing ethnically targeted slaughter and widespread kidnappings.

Emergence of Involvement

The participation of ex-soldiers was first uncovered the previous year, after an inquiry which revealed that hundreds of retired troops had been contracted to participate in the war – an revelation that led to an rare mea culpa from Colombia’s foreign ministry.

These South American veterans have long been considered as some of the most in-demand contractors globally due to their considerable warzone knowledge acquired during years of internal conflict, training on Nato equipment, and elite military instruction.

Activities in Sudan

In Sudan, the mercenaries have allegedly instructed underage fighters, taught fighters to pilot drones, and engaged in frontline combat. One source previously stated that instructing minors was "awful and crazy" but noted that "sadly, that is the nature of conflict".

Sanctioned Individuals

Among those penalized was a dual national, a citizen of both Colombia and Italy and retired Colombian military officer operating from the UAE. The Treasury said he had a central role in hiring and sending mercenaries to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Oliveros, was similarly targeted.

Also on the sanctions list was Mateo Andrés Duque Botero, a dual Colombian-Spanish citizen who the Treasury stated managed a business implicated in managing finances and payments for the network. "Over the past two years, American entities connected to Duque carried out multiple financial transactions, totalling millions of US dollars," the government release stated.

Colombian national Mónica Muñoz was the final person to be targeted, with the firm she operated accused of wire transfers linked to Duque and his businesses.

"The US once more urges external actors to cease providing financial and military support to the warring parties," the agency announced.

Reaction

A senior analyst, with the International Crisis Group, called the measures as a "very significant" step, noting that "calling out those who are doing the contracting is the correct approach".

She added that, Bogotá recently passed a statute endorsing the anti-mercenary convention, aiming to curb its citizens' long history in overseas wars and transform domestic defense strategy.

Sean McFate, a authority on private military contractors, called for greater wariness, saying that "penalties are required yet incomplete for combating the growing mercenary trade".

"It’s an illicit economy and centered in Dubai, which is largely insulated from sanctions," he stated. The United Arab Emirates has been frequently alleged of supplying weapons to the paramilitary group, an accusation it has denied. "Expect more Colombian mercenaries," he advised.