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The US government has levied restrictions on a group of four people and four firms accused of enlisting Colombian mercenaries to fight for and train a Sudanese paramilitary group the United States claims of genocidal acts.

Group Makeup

Announcing the sanctions on this week, the Treasury stated the operation was largely composed of Colombian citizens and firms.

Scores of ex-soldiers from Colombia have been recruited to go to the Sudanese warzone to operate with the Sudanese RSF militia, a faction implicated in horrific war crimes such as ethnically targeted slaughter and widespread kidnappings.

Emergence of Involvement

The involvement of Colombian fighters was first uncovered the previous year, after an report which found that hundreds of retired troops had been recruited to participate in the war – an revelation that resulted in an unprecedented apology from officials in Bogotá.

These South American veterans have historically been seen as some of the most in-demand contractors globally due to their considerable warzone knowledge acquired during decades of civil war, training on advanced weaponry, and superior tactical education.

Activities in Sudan

In Sudan, the Colombians have reportedly trained underage fighters, taught fighters to pilot drones, and fought directly on the frontlines. A mercenary previously stated that working with child soldiers was "horrific and irrational" but commented that "sadly, that is the nature of conflict".

Sanctioned Individuals

Among those penalized was a retired Colombian officer, a dual Colombian-Italian national and ex-soldier based in the Dubai. The US authorities said he had a key part in recruiting and deploying mercenaries to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was similarly targeted.

Also on the penalty list was Mateo Andrés Duque Botero, a dual national who authorities say ran a firm accused of handling funds and payroll for the network. "Over the past two years, American entities linked to Duque conducted numerous wire transfers, worth millions," the official announcement noted.

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

"Washington reiterates its demand for external actors to cease providing monetary and weaponry aid to the warring parties," the agency said in a statement.

Reaction

An expert, senior analyst at the International Crisis Group, called the measures as a "very significant" step, stating that "calling out those who are doing the contracting is the correct approach".

It was also noted that, the Colombian government has enacted a statute ratifying the anti-mercenary convention, designed to limit years of participation by its nationals in international fights and reshape national security policy.

A mercenary specialist, a authority on private military contractors, called for greater wariness, stating that "restrictions are needed but not enough for combating rampant mercenarism".

"It operates in the black market and centered in Dubai, which is largely insulated from sanctions," he stated. The United Arab Emirates has been widely accused of providing arms to the militia, claims it rejects. "More contractors from Colombia are likely," he advised.