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The US government has levied restrictions on a network of four individuals and four companies accused of hiring Colombian mercenaries to fight for and train a armed faction in Sudan the United States claims of acts of genocide.

Operation Structure

Disclosing the restrictions on Tuesday, the US Treasury Department stated the operation was largely composed of Colombian citizens and firms.

Hundreds of ex-soldiers from Colombia have allegedly journeyed to the Sudanese warzone to fight alongside the RSF paramilitary group, a group linked to severe violations including targeted ethnic killings and large-scale abductions.

Revelation of Role

The participation of ex-soldiers first came to light the previous year, after an inquiry which revealed that over three hundred former soldiers had been hired to participate in the war – an event that resulted in an rare mea culpa from Colombia’s foreign ministry.

Colombian ex-soldiers have long been considered as among the world’s most sought-after mercenaries due to their extensive battlefield experience gleaned from years of internal conflict, training on Western military gear, and high-level combat training.

Activities in Sudan

In the conflict, the contractors have been accused of teaching underage fighters, provided drone warfare training, and engaged in frontline combat. An individual involved remarked that instructing minors was "awful and crazy" but noted that "regrettably, war operates that way".

Named Entities

Among those penalized was a dual national, a citizen of both Colombia and Italy and retired Colombian military officer operating from the UAE. The US authorities accused him a central role in recruiting and deploying former Colombian soldiers to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Oliveros, was penalized as well.

Also on the restricted list was Duque Botero, a dual Colombian-Spanish citizen who authorities say ran a firm linked to processing money and salaries for the network. "Recently, American entities linked to Duque carried out several money transfers, worth millions," the Treasury statement stated.

Colombian national Mónica Muñoz was the fourth individual to be penalized, with the firm she operated alleged to have wire transfers connected to Duque and his operations.

"The US once more urges outside forces to stop giving funding and arms to the belligerents," the agency stated.

Expert Analysis

An expert, senior analyst at the International Crisis Group, called the measures as a "major" milestone, noting that "identifying the recruiters is the proper strategy".

She added that, Colombia recently passed a law approving the global treaty against mercenarism, seeking to reduce decades of Colombian involvement in international fights and change domestic defense strategy.

Sean McFate, a scholar on the subject, advised additional measures, saying that "restrictions are needed but not enough for dealing with rampant mercenarism".

"It’s an illicit economy and centered in the UAE, which is relatively sanction-proof," he commented. The UAE has been widely accused of arming the RSF, allegations it disputes. "This trend will probably continue," McFate warned.