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The US government has imposed sanctions on a network of several persons and entities alleged of enlisting Colombian mercenaries to combat alongside and instruct a militia force in Sudan which the US alleges of acts of genocide.

Group Makeup

Announcing the restrictions on this week, the US Treasury Department stated the network was primarily made up of Colombian citizens and firms.

Scores of ex-soldiers from Colombia have allegedly journeyed to the conflict in Sudan to operate with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a faction accused of terrible atrocities such as ethnically targeted slaughter and large-scale abductions.

Emergence of Involvement

The participation of ex-soldiers initially emerged the previous year, following an report which revealed that hundreds of retired troops had been hired to engage in combat – an event that resulted in an rare mea culpa from officials in Bogotá.

These South American veterans have historically been seen as some of the most in-demand contractors globally due to their vast combat experience acquired during a long-running domestic war, familiarity with Western military gear, and high-level combat training.

Reported Actions

In the conflict, the mercenaries have allegedly instructed underage fighters, taught fighters to pilot drones, and engaged in frontline combat. One source was quoted as saying that training children was "terrible and insane" but added that "sadly, that is the nature of conflict".

Named Entities

Among those targeted was a dual national, a citizen of both Colombia and Italy and ex-soldier operating from the United Arab Emirates. The government said he had a central role in enlisting and transporting ex-military personnel to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Oliveros, was penalized as well.

Also on the sanctions list was Duque Botero, a dual Colombian-Spanish citizen who officials alleged managed a business implicated in managing finances and payments for the network. "Recently, companies in the United States connected to Duque conducted several money transfers, worth millions," the official announcement stated.

Individual Mónica Muñoz was the other individual to be sanctioned, with the firm she operated accused of financial transactions associated with Duque and his companies.

"The US once more urges foreign parties to stop giving monetary and weaponry aid to the combatants," the department announced.

Reaction

An expert, with the International Crisis Group, labeled the sanctions as a "major" step, saying that "targeting the enablers is the right way to go".

Furthermore, Colombia ratified a law endorsing the anti-mercenary convention, designed to limit its citizens' long history in foreign conflicts and reshape national security policy.

Sean McFate, an expert on mercenaries, urged more caution, saying that "sanctions are necessary but insufficient for dealing with the growing mercenary trade".

"It’s an illicit economy and based out of the UAE, which is relatively sanction-proof," he said. The United Arab Emirates has been frequently alleged of providing arms to the militia, allegations it disputes. "Expect more Colombian mercenaries," he advised.