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The United States has imposed sanctions on a network of several persons and entities accused of hiring Colombian mercenaries to combat alongside and instruct a armed faction in Sudan that Washington accuses of committing genocide.

Group Makeup

Announcing the restrictions on Tuesday, the US Treasury Department stated the scheme was primarily made up of individuals and businesses from Colombia.

Hundreds of retired Colombian troops have allegedly journeyed to Sudan to combat beside the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a group linked to severe violations including massacres based on ethnicity and widespread kidnappings.

Emergence of Involvement

The role of these mercenaries initially emerged the previous year, prompted by an inquiry which disclosed that hundreds of ex-military personnel had been recruited to participate in the war – an event that prompted an unusual statement of regret from the Colombian government.

Former Colombian military have historically been seen as highly prized fighters in conflict zones due to their considerable warzone knowledge acquired during a long-running domestic war, familiarity with advanced weaponry, and high-level combat training.

Reported Actions

In Sudan, the mercenaries have allegedly instructed minors, instructed militiamen in drone operation, and fought directly on the frontlines. A mercenary was quoted as saying that training children was "terrible and insane" but added that "sadly, that is the nature of conflict".

Targeted Persons

Among those targeted was Álvaro Andrés Quijano Becerra, a individual with dual citizenship and former army officer operating from the Dubai. The government alleged he played a key part in enlisting and transporting former Colombian soldiers to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Oliveros, was similarly targeted.

Also on the sanctions list was Mateo Duque Botero, a individual with Colombian and Spanish citizenship who officials alleged managed a business linked to processing money and salaries for the network. "Over the past two years, US-based firms connected to Duque conducted multiple financial transactions, amounting to millions," the government release stated.

Citizen of Colombia Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the other individual to be sanctioned, with the firm she operated alleged to have money transfers connected to Duque and his operations.

"The United States again calls on external actors to cease providing financial and military support to the belligerents," the agency said in a statement.

Reaction

An expert, senior analyst at the International Crisis Group, labeled the measures as a "major" development, saying that "calling out those who are doing the contracting is the right way to go".

It was also noted that, Bogotá ratified a law ratifying the global treaty against mercenarism, seeking to reduce its citizens' long history in foreign conflicts and transform its security approach.

Sean McFate, an expert on mercenaries, urged more caution, noting that "sanctions are necessary but insufficient for combating rampant mercenarism".

"It’s an illicit economy and centered in the UAE, which is largely insulated from sanctions," he said. The UAE has been frequently alleged of supplying weapons to the paramilitary group, allegations it disputes. "Expect more Colombian mercenaries," he advised.