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The Washington has levied restrictions on a operation of several persons and entities charged of recruiting South American contractors to fight for and train a Sudanese paramilitary group that Washington accuses of committing genocide.

Operation Structure

Disclosing the measures on Tuesday, the US Treasury Department stated the network was mostly comprised of Colombian nationals and companies.

Numerous of retired Colombian troops have been recruited to go to Sudan to combat beside the Sudanese RSF militia, a force implicated in terrible atrocities such as ethnically targeted slaughter and widespread kidnappings.

Revelation of Role

The role of these mercenaries was first uncovered last year, following an report which revealed that more than 300 ex-military personnel had been hired to fight – an revelation that led to an unprecedented apology from the Colombian government.

Former Colombian military have long been considered as some of the most in-demand contractors globally due to their vast combat experience acquired during a long-running domestic war, training on advanced weaponry, and high-level combat training.

Activities in Sudan

In the Sudanese theater, the contractors have allegedly instructed underage fighters, instructed militiamen in drone operation, and engaged in frontline combat. One source was quoted as saying that instructing minors was "awful and crazy" but commented that "unfortunately that’s how war is".

Named Entities

Among those sanctioned was Álvaro Andrés Quijano Becerra, a individual with dual citizenship and former army officer operating from the UAE. The Treasury said he had a key part in hiring and sending ex-military personnel to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Oliveros, was similarly targeted.

Also on the sanctions list was Mateo Andrés Duque Botero, a dual national who the Treasury stated managed a business implicated in managing finances and payments for the network. "Recently, American entities associated with Duque engaged in numerous wire transfers, worth millions," the Treasury statement noted.

Citizen of Colombia Mónica Muñoz was the other individual to be targeted, with the entity she oversaw alleged to have wire transfers linked to Duque and his businesses.

"The United States again calls on outside forces to stop giving financial and military support to the combatants," the Treasury announced.

Analyst Commentary

An expert, from a conflict think tank, called the sanctions as a "major" development, noting that "targeting the enablers is the correct approach".

She added that, Bogotá ratified a law approving the anti-mercenary convention, aiming to curb years of participation by its nationals in international fights and reshape its security approach.

A mercenary specialist, a scholar on the subject, advised additional measures, noting that "penalties are required yet incomplete for addressing widespread use of contractors".

"It operates in the black market and operating from the Emirates, which is largely insulated from sanctions," he commented. The UAE has been widely accused of arming the RSF, allegations it disputes. "This trend will probably continue," he advised.