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The US government has levied restrictions on a group of several persons and entities alleged of enlisting Colombian mercenaries to combat alongside and instruct a militia force in Sudan that Washington accuses of acts of genocide.

Group Makeup

Disclosing the measures on Tuesday, the American treasury stated the operation was mostly comprised of Colombian citizens and firms.

Hundreds of retired Colombian troops have been recruited to go to Sudan to fight alongside the Sudanese RSF militia, a group linked to terrible atrocities encompassing ethnically targeted slaughter and widespread kidnappings.

Revelation of Role

The involvement of Colombian fighters first came to light last year, following an report which disclosed that over three hundred retired troops had been contracted to fight – an discovery that resulted in an rare mea culpa from the Colombian government.

These South American veterans have long been considered as among the world’s most sought-after mercenaries due to their extensive battlefield experience resulting from decades of civil war, knowledge of Western military gear, and superior tactical education.

Activities in Sudan

In the Sudanese theater, the contractors have allegedly instructed underage fighters, provided drone warfare training, and fought directly on the frontlines. One source was quoted as saying that training children was "awful and crazy" but noted that "unfortunately that’s how war is".

Named Entities

Among those sanctioned was Álvaro Andrés Quijano Becerra, a dual Colombian-Italian national and retired Colombian military officer based in the Dubai. The US authorities said he had a key part in hiring and sending former Colombian soldiers to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Oliveros, was also sanctioned.

Also on the penalty list was Mateo Duque Botero, a dual Colombian-Spanish citizen who officials alleged ran a firm linked to managing finances and payments for the scheme. "Over the past two years, companies in the United States associated with Duque engaged in multiple financial transactions, totalling millions of US dollars," the official announcement said.

Colombian national Mónica Muñoz was the fourth individual to be targeted, with the company she managed accused of wire transfers connected to Duque and his businesses.

"Washington reiterates its demand for foreign parties to halt the flow of financial and military support to the combatants," the Treasury said in a statement.

Expert Analysis

Elizabeth Dickinson, with the International Crisis Group, described the sanctions as a "major" milestone, noting that "identifying the recruiters is the right way to go".

Furthermore, the Colombian government recently passed a statute approving the International Convention Against the Recruitment and Use of Mercenaries, aiming to curb its citizens' long history in overseas wars and transform its security approach.

Another expert, a scholar on the subject, urged more caution, noting that "sanctions are necessary but insufficient for dealing with the growing mercenary trade".

"This is a shadow economy and operating from Dubai, which is largely insulated from sanctions," he commented. The Emirati government has been widely accused of arming the RSF, claims it rejects. "This trend will probably continue," McFate warned.