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The US government has levied restrictions on a network of several persons and entities accused of recruiting former Colombian soldiers to fight for and train a Sudanese paramilitary group that Washington accuses of acts of genocide.

Operation Structure

Disclosing the restrictions on this week, the Treasury stated the scheme was mostly comprised of individuals and businesses from Colombia.

Scores of retired Colombian troops have allegedly journeyed to the conflict in Sudan to combat beside the Sudanese RSF militia, a force linked to terrible atrocities including ethnically targeted slaughter and mass abductions.

Emergence of Involvement

The participation of ex-soldiers first came to light the previous year, prompted by an inquiry which found that hundreds of retired troops had been contracted to participate in the war – an discovery that resulted in an unusual statement of regret from Colombia’s foreign ministry.

Former Colombian military have historically been seen as highly prized fighters in conflict zones due to their vast combat experience resulting from decades of civil war, knowledge of advanced weaponry, and elite military instruction.

Reported Actions

In Sudan, the contractors have reportedly trained underage fighters, taught fighters to pilot drones, and fought directly on the frontlines. A mercenary remarked that working with child soldiers was "awful and crazy" but added that "unfortunately that’s how war is".

Targeted Persons

Among those sanctioned was Álvaro Andrés Quijano Becerra, a citizen of both Colombia and Italy and retired Colombian military officer operating from the UAE. The US authorities said he had a pivotal function in recruiting and deploying mercenaries to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was also sanctioned.

Also on the sanctions list was Mateo Andrés Duque Botero, a dual Colombian-Spanish citizen who the Treasury stated oversaw a company implicated in managing finances and payments for the recruitment operation. "Recently, companies in the United States connected to Duque engaged in numerous wire transfers, worth millions," the official announcement noted.

Citizen of Colombia Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the fourth individual to be penalized, with the company she managed accused of financial transactions connected to Duque and his operations.

"Washington reiterates its demand for foreign parties to cease providing funding and arms to the warring parties," the Treasury announced.

Reaction

An expert, senior analyst at the International Crisis Group, labeled the actions as a "highly important" development, noting that "identifying the recruiters is the correct approach".

It was also noted that, Bogotá ratified a statute ratifying the global treaty against mercenarism, designed to limit its citizens' long history in overseas wars and change domestic defense strategy.

Sean McFate, a authority on private military contractors, advised additional measures, noting that "restrictions are needed but not enough for dealing with widespread use of contractors".

"This is a shadow economy and operating from the UAE, which is largely insulated from sanctions," he said. The United Arab Emirates has been widely accused of providing arms to the militia, allegations it disputes. "More contractors from Colombia are likely," he advised.