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The United States has levied restrictions on a operation of several persons and entities accused of recruiting South American contractors to combat alongside and instruct a Sudanese paramilitary group which the US alleges of acts of genocide.

Network Composition

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

Hundreds of retired Colombian troops have allegedly journeyed to Sudan to operate with the RSF paramilitary group, a group accused of severe violations such as ethnically targeted slaughter and widespread kidnappings.

Revelation of Role

The involvement of Colombian fighters initially emerged the previous year, following an inquiry which disclosed that more than 300 retired troops had been contracted to engage in combat – an revelation that led to an unprecedented apology from the Colombian government.

Former Colombian military have historically been seen as some of the most in-demand contractors globally due to their vast combat experience gleaned from years of internal conflict, training on Western military gear, and superior tactical education.

Role in the Conflict

In the conflict, the mercenaries have allegedly instructed underage fighters, provided drone warfare training, and fought directly on the frontlines. An individual involved remarked that training children was "horrific and irrational" but noted that "regrettably, war operates that way".

Targeted Persons

Among those penalized was Álvaro Andrés Quijano Becerra, a dual Colombian-Italian national and retired Colombian military officer operating from the United Arab Emirates. The government alleged he played a key part in hiring and sending former Colombian soldiers to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was penalized as well.

Also on the restricted list was Duque Botero, a individual with Colombian and Spanish citizenship who officials alleged oversaw a company linked to managing finances and payments for the recruitment operation. "Over the past two years, US-based firms associated with Duque carried out several money transfers, totalling millions of US dollars," the Treasury statement said.

Individual Mónica Muñoz was the other individual to be targeted, with the company she managed accused of financial transactions linked to Duque and his operations.

"The United States again calls on outside forces to cease providing financial and military support to the combatants," the agency stated.

Reaction

A senior analyst, senior analyst at the International Crisis Group, described the sanctions as a "highly important" step, saying that "calling out those who are doing the contracting is the proper strategy".

She added that, the Colombian government has enacted a statute ratifying the anti-mercenary convention, seeking to reduce its citizens' long history in international fights and transform domestic defense strategy.

Sean McFate, a authority on private military contractors, advised additional measures, noting that "restrictions are needed but not enough for addressing the growing mercenary trade".

"This is a shadow economy and centered in the UAE, which is largely insulated from sanctions," he said. The Emirati government has been frequently alleged of providing arms to the militia, allegations it disputes. "Expect more Colombian mercenaries," McFate warned.