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The United States has imposed sanctions on a operation of several persons and entities alleged of hiring Colombian mercenaries to fight for and train a militia force in Sudan the United States claims of acts of genocide.

Operation Structure

Revealing the measures on Tuesday, the Treasury stated the network was largely composed of Colombian citizens and firms.

Hundreds of retired Colombian troops have been recruited to go to Sudan to fight alongside the Sudanese RSF militia, a faction implicated in terrible atrocities such as massacres based on ethnicity and large-scale abductions.

Revelation of Role

The participation of ex-soldiers initially emerged last year, after an investigation which disclosed that hundreds of ex-military personnel had been hired to participate in the war – an discovery that prompted an unusual statement of regret from the Colombian government.

Former Colombian military have widely regarded as highly prized fighters in conflict zones due to their considerable warzone knowledge gleaned from a long-running domestic war, knowledge of advanced weaponry, and superior tactical education.

Activities in Sudan

In the conflict, the contractors have allegedly instructed child soldiers, taught fighters to pilot drones, and engaged in frontline combat. One source previously stated that instructing minors was "horrific and irrational" but added that "sadly, that is the nature of conflict".

Targeted Persons

Among those sanctioned was Álvaro Andrés Quijano Becerra, a dual Colombian-Italian national and former army officer located in the Dubai. The US authorities alleged he played a central role in enlisting and transporting ex-military personnel to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Oliveros, was penalized as well.

Also on the penalty list was Mateo Andrés Duque Botero, a dual Colombian-Spanish citizen who officials alleged oversaw a company accused of handling funds and payroll for the recruitment operation. "Over the past two years, US-based firms associated with Duque engaged in numerous wire transfers, worth millions," the official announcement said.

Colombian national Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the final person to be sanctioned, with the entity she oversaw accused of wire transfers linked to Duque and his operations.

"The United States again calls on foreign parties to halt the flow of funding and arms to the warring parties," the Treasury announced.

Analyst Commentary

Elizabeth Dickinson, senior analyst at the International Crisis Group, called the actions as a "highly important" milestone, noting that "calling out those who are doing the contracting is the correct approach".

Furthermore, Colombia recently passed a piece of legislation ratifying the anti-mercenary convention, designed to limit its citizens' long history in overseas wars and change its security approach.

Sean McFate, a authority on private military contractors, advised additional measures, noting that "sanctions are necessary but insufficient for combating widespread use of contractors".

"It’s an illicit economy and operating from the Emirates, which is largely insulated from sanctions," he stated. The United Arab Emirates has been repeatedly implicated of arming the RSF, an accusation it has denied. "This trend will probably continue," he advised.