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The US government has imposed sanctions on a network of several persons and entities charged of hiring South American contractors to combat alongside and instruct a armed faction in Sudan which the US alleges of acts of genocide.

Group Makeup

Revealing the sanctions on this week, the US Treasury Department stated the operation was mostly comprised of Colombian citizens and firms.

Hundreds of ex-soldiers from Colombia have reportedly travelled to the Sudanese warzone to operate with the RSF paramilitary group, a faction linked to horrific war crimes encompassing targeted ethnic killings and mass abductions.

Emergence of Involvement

The participation of ex-soldiers first came to light the previous year, following an report which found that more than 300 retired troops had been hired to engage in combat – an revelation that resulted in an unusual statement of regret from officials in Bogotá.

These South American veterans have long been considered as highly prized fighters in conflict zones due to their considerable warzone knowledge resulting from years of internal conflict, knowledge of advanced weaponry, and superior tactical education.

Reported Actions

In the conflict, the contractors have reportedly trained underage fighters, taught fighters to pilot drones, and participated in direct battles. One source remarked that working with child soldiers was "horrific and irrational" but commented that "regrettably, war operates that way".

Targeted Persons

Among those penalized was a retired Colombian officer, a dual Colombian-Italian national and retired Colombian military officer operating from the UAE. The government accused him a central role in enlisting and transporting mercenaries to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was penalized as well.

Also on the penalty list was Mateo Andrés Duque Botero, a dual Colombian-Spanish citizen who the Treasury stated oversaw a company accused of handling funds and payroll for the recruitment operation. "Over the past two years, companies in the United States connected to Duque conducted several money transfers, totalling millions of US dollars," the government release stated.

Citizen of Colombia Mónica Muñoz was the final person to be penalized, with the firm she operated alleged to have wire transfers connected to Duque and his companies.

"The US once more urges external actors to stop giving financial and military support to the warring parties," the Treasury said in a statement.

Reaction

An expert, with the International Crisis Group, called the sanctions as a "highly important" step, stating that "targeting the enablers is the proper strategy".

It was also noted that, Colombia recently passed a piece of legislation endorsing the International Convention Against the Recruitment and Use of Mercenaries, designed to limit its citizens' long history in overseas wars and change domestic defense strategy.

Sean McFate, an expert on mercenaries, advised additional measures, noting that "sanctions are necessary but insufficient for dealing with widespread use of contractors".

"It’s an illicit economy and based out of the UAE, which is largely insulated from sanctions," he said. The UAE has been frequently alleged of providing arms to the militia, an accusation it has denied. "Expect more Colombian mercenaries," McFate warned.