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The US government has levied restrictions on a operation of four individuals and four companies alleged of enlisting former Colombian soldiers to fight for and train a armed faction in Sudan that Washington accuses of committing genocide.

Operation Structure

Announcing the restrictions on Tuesday, the US Treasury Department stated the scheme was largely composed of individuals and businesses from Colombia.

Numerous of retired Colombian troops have been recruited to go to Sudan to combat beside the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a group implicated in severe violations such as massacres based on ethnicity and widespread kidnappings.

Emergence of Involvement

The involvement of Colombian fighters first came to light last year, prompted by an investigation which disclosed that over three hundred retired troops had been hired to engage in combat – an event that resulted in an unusual statement of regret from Colombia’s foreign ministry.

Colombian ex-soldiers have long been considered as among the world’s most sought-after mercenaries due to their vast combat experience acquired during years of internal conflict, training on advanced weaponry, and elite military instruction.

Reported Actions

In the conflict, the Colombians have reportedly trained minors, instructed militiamen in drone operation, and participated in direct battles. An individual involved remarked that training children was "horrific and irrational" but noted that "sadly, that is the nature of conflict".

Sanctioned Individuals

Among those targeted was a dual national, a individual with dual citizenship and retired Colombian military officer based in the UAE. The government accused him a key part in enlisting and transporting former Colombian soldiers to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Oliveros, was also sanctioned.

Also on the restricted list was Duque Botero, a individual with Colombian and Spanish citizenship who the Treasury stated oversaw a company implicated in managing finances and payments for the recruitment operation. "Over the past two years, US-based firms associated with Duque conducted multiple financial transactions, totalling millions of US dollars," the official announcement noted.

Individual Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the final person to be sanctioned, with the entity she oversaw accused of financial transactions linked to Duque and his businesses.

"The US once more urges outside forces to cease providing financial and military support to the warring parties," the agency stated.

Reaction

An expert, with the International Crisis Group, labeled the actions as a "very significant" milestone, saying that "identifying the recruiters is the correct approach".

She added that, Bogotá has enacted a law endorsing the International Convention Against the Recruitment and Use of Mercenaries, seeking to reduce years of participation by its nationals in overseas wars and transform national security policy.

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

"This is a shadow economy and centered in Dubai, which is difficult to penalize," he commented. The Emirati government has been frequently alleged of arming the RSF, allegations it disputes. "Expect more Colombian mercenaries," the expert cautioned.