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The US government has levied restrictions on a operation of four people and four firms alleged of enlisting former Colombian soldiers to fight for and train a militia force in Sudan that Washington accuses of committing genocide.

Operation Structure

Revealing the restrictions on this week, the Treasury stated the scheme was primarily made up of individuals and businesses from Colombia.

Hundreds of retired Colombian troops have reportedly travelled to the conflict in Sudan to operate with the RSF paramilitary group, a faction accused of terrible atrocities encompassing targeted ethnic killings and widespread kidnappings.

Discovery of Participation

The involvement of Colombian fighters initially emerged the previous year, after an report which revealed that over three hundred retired troops had been recruited to fight – an event that led to an unprecedented apology from Colombia’s foreign ministry.

Former Colombian military have widely regarded as highly prized fighters in conflict zones due to their considerable warzone knowledge gleaned from decades of civil war, knowledge of Nato equipment, and high-level combat training.

Role in the Conflict

In the Sudanese theater, the contractors have reportedly trained minors, taught fighters to pilot drones, and engaged in frontline combat. One source was quoted as saying that working with child soldiers was "horrific and irrational" but commented that "sadly, that is the nature of conflict".

Targeted Persons

Among those sanctioned was Álvaro Andrés Quijano Becerra, a citizen of both Colombia and Italy and retired Colombian military officer based in the Dubai. The US authorities said he had a pivotal function in recruiting and deploying ex-military personnel to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Oliveros, was similarly targeted.

Also on the penalty list was Duque Botero, a dual Colombian-Spanish citizen who authorities say managed a business linked to processing money and salaries for the scheme. "Over the past two years, US-based firms connected to Duque carried out numerous wire transfers, amounting to millions," the Treasury statement said.

Individual Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the other individual to be targeted, with the firm she operated accused of money transfers linked to Duque and his operations.

"Washington reiterates its demand for foreign parties to stop giving monetary and weaponry aid to the belligerents," the department announced.

Reaction

A senior analyst, from a conflict think tank, called the sanctions as a "major" step, noting that "targeting the enablers is the right way to go".

She added that, the Colombian government recently passed a law endorsing the global treaty against mercenarism, seeking to reduce decades of Colombian involvement in international fights and change its security approach.

A mercenary specialist, an expert on mercenaries, advised additional measures, stating that "restrictions are needed but not enough for combating rampant mercenarism".

"It’s an illicit economy and operating from Dubai, which is relatively sanction-proof," he said. The United Arab Emirates has been frequently alleged of supplying weapons to the paramilitary group, allegations it disputes. "Expect more Colombian mercenaries," the expert cautioned.