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The United States has imposed sanctions on a operation of four individuals and four companies alleged of hiring former Colombian soldiers to combat alongside and instruct a Sudanese paramilitary group which the US alleges of acts of genocide.

Network Composition

Announcing the sanctions on this week, the Treasury stated the operation was primarily made up of Colombian nationals and companies.

Hundreds of ex-soldiers from Colombia have reportedly travelled to the conflict in Sudan to combat beside the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a group linked to horrific war crimes including massacres based on ethnicity and large-scale abductions.

Revelation of Role

The participation of ex-soldiers first came to light the previous year, prompted by an report which revealed that more than 300 ex-military personnel had been recruited to participate in the war – an revelation that resulted in an rare mea culpa from Colombia’s foreign ministry.

Former Colombian military have historically been seen as among the world’s most sought-after mercenaries due to their extensive battlefield experience gleaned from decades of civil war, familiarity with Western military gear, and high-level combat training.

Role in the Conflict

In the Sudanese theater, the mercenaries have allegedly instructed child soldiers, instructed militiamen in drone operation, and engaged in frontline combat. One source previously stated that training children was "terrible and insane" but commented that "sadly, that is the nature of conflict".

Targeted Persons

Among those targeted was a dual national, a citizen of both Colombia and Italy and ex-soldier located in the UAE. The US authorities said he had a central role in hiring and sending ex-military personnel to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was penalized as well.

Also on the sanctions list was Mateo Duque Botero, a dual Colombian-Spanish citizen who authorities say ran a firm accused of managing finances and payments for the recruitment operation. "Recently, companies in the United States linked to Duque engaged in numerous wire transfers, worth millions," the government release said.

Colombian national Mónica Muñoz was the other individual to be penalized, with the entity she oversaw said to have conducted financial transactions connected to Duque and his businesses.

"The United States again calls on outside forces to stop giving funding and arms to the warring parties," the Treasury announced.

Analyst Commentary

A senior analyst, senior analyst at the International Crisis Group, described the actions as a "major" milestone, stating that "identifying the recruiters is the proper strategy".

It was also noted that, Colombia has enacted a statute endorsing the International Convention Against the Recruitment and Use of Mercenaries, designed to limit its citizens' long history in overseas wars and transform its security approach.

Sean McFate, an expert on mercenaries, urged more caution, stating that "sanctions are necessary but insufficient for dealing with rampant mercenarism".

"This is a shadow economy and operating from Dubai, which is relatively sanction-proof," he stated. The UAE has been repeatedly implicated of arming the RSF, claims it rejects. "More contractors from Colombia are likely," McFate warned.