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The United States has enforced penalties on a network of several persons and entities alleged of enlisting Colombian mercenaries to fight for and train a militia force in Sudan which the US alleges of genocidal acts.

Network Composition

Disclosing the measures on Tuesday, the American treasury stated the scheme was primarily made up of individuals and businesses from Colombia.

Scores of retired Colombian troops have been recruited to go to the Sudanese warzone to fight alongside the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a force implicated in terrible atrocities such as ethnically targeted slaughter and mass abductions.

Revelation of Role

The participation of ex-soldiers was first uncovered the previous year, after an inquiry which found that over three hundred retired troops had been recruited to participate in the war – an revelation that prompted an unprecedented apology from officials in Bogotá.

Colombian ex-soldiers have long been considered as some of the most in-demand contractors globally due to their considerable warzone knowledge resulting from a long-running domestic war, familiarity with Nato equipment, and high-level combat training.

Role in the Conflict

In the Sudanese theater, the contractors have reportedly trained child soldiers, instructed militiamen in drone operation, and fought directly on the frontlines. One source remarked that instructing minors was "terrible and insane" but commented that "unfortunately that’s how war is".

Targeted Persons

Among those sanctioned was Álvaro Andrés Quijano Becerra, a individual with dual citizenship and retired Colombian military officer based in the Dubai. The government accused him a central role in hiring and sending ex-military personnel to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Oliveros, was penalized as well.

Also on the restricted list was Mateo Duque Botero, a dual Colombian-Spanish citizen who authorities say oversaw a company accused of handling funds and payroll for the scheme. "Recently, companies in the United States associated with Duque carried out numerous wire transfers, worth millions," the government release stated.

Citizen of Colombia Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the fourth individual to be penalized, with the company she managed accused of money transfers associated with Duque and his businesses.

"The US once more urges outside forces to stop giving financial and military support to the warring parties," the Treasury announced.

Reaction

An expert, senior analyst at the International Crisis Group, described the actions as a "major" step, noting that "identifying the recruiters is the correct approach".

Furthermore, Colombia has enacted a law ratifying the International Convention Against the Recruitment and Use of Mercenaries, seeking to reduce years of participation by its nationals in foreign conflicts and transform domestic defense strategy.

A mercenary specialist, an expert on mercenaries, urged more caution, saying that "sanctions are necessary but insufficient for addressing the growing mercenary trade".

"It’s an illicit economy and based out of Dubai, which is difficult to penalize," he commented. The UAE has been widely accused of providing arms to the militia, claims it rejects. "Expect more Colombian mercenaries," the expert cautioned.