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The US government has imposed sanctions on a operation of several persons and entities charged of enlisting former Colombian soldiers to fight for and train a armed faction in Sudan which the US alleges of genocidal acts.

Group Makeup

Announcing the sanctions on Tuesday, the US Treasury Department stated the operation was mostly comprised of Colombian nationals and companies.

Numerous of retired Colombian troops have reportedly travelled to Sudan to fight alongside the Sudanese RSF militia, a force linked to horrific war crimes such as ethnically targeted slaughter and widespread kidnappings.

Revelation of Role

The participation of ex-soldiers first came to light last year, after an investigation which disclosed that more than 300 ex-military personnel had been hired to fight – an discovery that prompted an unprecedented apology from Colombia’s foreign ministry.

Former Colombian military have widely regarded as some of the most in-demand contractors globally due to their considerable warzone knowledge acquired during a long-running domestic war, training on Western military gear, and elite military instruction.

Activities in Sudan

In the Sudanese theater, the Colombians have allegedly instructed underage fighters, taught fighters to pilot drones, and fought directly on the frontlines. One source was quoted as saying that training children was "awful and crazy" but commented that "regrettably, war operates that way".

Targeted Persons

Among those sanctioned was a dual national, a dual Colombian-Italian national and ex-soldier operating from the UAE. The government accused him a key part in hiring and sending mercenaries to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Oliveros, was similarly targeted.

Also on the sanctions list was Mateo Andrés Duque Botero, a dual Colombian-Spanish citizen who the Treasury stated oversaw a company implicated in managing finances and payments for the network. "Over the past two years, companies in the United States connected to Duque carried out multiple financial transactions, worth millions," the Treasury statement said.

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

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

Expert Analysis

A senior analyst, from a conflict think tank, called the measures as a "highly important" milestone, noting that "identifying the recruiters is the correct approach".

Furthermore, the Colombian government recently passed a statute endorsing the global treaty against mercenarism, seeking to reduce decades of Colombian involvement in overseas wars and reshape its security approach.

Sean McFate, a scholar on the subject, advised additional measures, noting that "restrictions are needed but not enough for combating the growing mercenary trade".

"It operates in the black market and operating from the Emirates, which is difficult to penalize," he said. The United Arab Emirates has been repeatedly implicated of providing arms to the militia, an accusation it has denied. "This trend will probably continue," the expert cautioned.