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The Washington has imposed sanctions on a network of four individuals and four companies charged of recruiting former Colombian soldiers to fight for and train a militia force in Sudan that Washington accuses of genocidal acts.

Operation Structure

Announcing the measures on Tuesday, the US Treasury Department stated the network was largely composed of Colombian citizens and firms.

Scores of ex-soldiers from Colombia have reportedly travelled to the Sudanese warzone to fight alongside the Sudanese RSF militia, a faction linked to severe violations encompassing targeted ethnic killings and widespread kidnappings.

Discovery of Participation

The role of these mercenaries first came to light the previous year, following an report which revealed that more than 300 retired troops had been hired to fight – an revelation that resulted in an unusual statement of regret from the Colombian government.

Colombian ex-soldiers have historically been seen as highly prized fighters in conflict zones due to their considerable warzone knowledge resulting from decades of civil war, familiarity with Nato equipment, and superior tactical education.

Reported Actions

In the Sudanese theater, the Colombians have allegedly instructed underage fighters, provided drone warfare training, and participated in direct battles. A mercenary was quoted as saying that training children was "awful and crazy" but noted that "sadly, that is the nature of conflict".

Sanctioned Individuals

Among those targeted was a retired Colombian officer, a individual with dual citizenship and retired Colombian military officer operating from the United Arab Emirates. The Treasury alleged he played a central role in enlisting and transporting ex-military personnel to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Oliveros, was similarly targeted.

Also on the penalty list was Mateo Andrés Duque Botero, a dual national who officials alleged oversaw a company implicated in processing money and salaries for the network. "Recently, companies in the United States linked to Duque carried out numerous wire transfers, worth millions," the Treasury statement said.

Citizen of Colombia Mónica Muñoz was the other individual to be sanctioned, with the company she managed accused of wire transfers linked to Duque and his operations.

"The United States again calls on foreign parties to halt the flow of monetary and weaponry aid to the warring parties," the Treasury stated.

Reaction

An expert, with the International Crisis Group, called the measures as a "major" milestone, noting that "calling out those who are doing the contracting is the correct approach".

It was also noted that, the Colombian government ratified a law endorsing the International Convention Against the Recruitment and Use of Mercenaries, seeking to reduce its citizens' long history in overseas wars and transform national security policy.

Sean McFate, a authority on private military contractors, advised additional measures, saying that "penalties are required yet incomplete for dealing with rampant mercenarism".

"This is a shadow economy and based out of the Emirates, which is largely insulated from sanctions," he said. The United Arab Emirates has been widely accused of arming the RSF, allegations it disputes. "This trend will probably continue," the expert cautioned.