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The United States has imposed sanctions on a group of four individuals and four companies alleged of hiring former Colombian soldiers to combat alongside and instruct a militia force in Sudan which the US alleges of committing genocide.

Operation Structure

Disclosing the restrictions on this week, the American treasury stated the operation was mostly comprised of Colombian nationals and companies.

Scores of former Colombian military personnel have been recruited to go to the conflict in Sudan to fight alongside the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a faction linked to terrible atrocities encompassing ethnically targeted slaughter and large-scale abductions.

Discovery of Participation

The role of these mercenaries first came to light last year, prompted by an report which found that more than 300 ex-military personnel had been contracted to participate in the war – an discovery that prompted an unusual statement of regret from officials in Bogotá.

Former Colombian military have long been considered as among the world’s most sought-after mercenaries due to their vast combat experience gleaned from a long-running domestic war, familiarity with Western military gear, and high-level combat training.

Role in the Conflict

In the conflict, the mercenaries have reportedly trained child soldiers, provided drone warfare training, and participated in direct battles. One source was quoted as saying that instructing minors was "terrible and insane" but noted that "regrettably, war operates that way".

Sanctioned Individuals

Among those penalized was Álvaro Andrés Quijano Becerra, a individual with dual citizenship and ex-soldier located in the Dubai. The Treasury accused him a pivotal function in recruiting and deploying former Colombian soldiers to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Oliveros, was penalized as well.

Also on the restricted list was Mateo Andrés Duque Botero, a dual national who the Treasury stated managed a business accused of managing finances and payments for the network. "Recently, companies in the United States linked to Duque carried out numerous wire transfers, amounting to millions," the Treasury statement stated.

Individual Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the final person to be sanctioned, with the company she managed accused of wire transfers linked to Duque and his businesses.

"The US once more urges outside forces to cease providing financial and military support to the belligerents," the Treasury announced.

Analyst Commentary

A senior analyst, with the International Crisis Group, labeled the measures as a "major" step, noting that "targeting the enablers is the correct approach".

It was also noted that, Colombia recently passed a law endorsing the anti-mercenary convention, designed to limit its citizens' long history in international fights and change domestic defense strategy.

Sean McFate, an expert on mercenaries, advised additional measures, stating that "sanctions are necessary but insufficient for combating the growing mercenary trade".

"It’s an illicit economy and operating from the UAE, which is largely insulated from sanctions," he stated. The Emirati government has been widely accused of supplying weapons to the paramilitary group, claims it rejects. "More contractors from Colombia are likely," the expert cautioned.