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The United States has enforced penalties 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

Revealing the sanctions on this week, the US Treasury Department stated the network was largely composed of Colombian nationals and companies.

Hundreds of former Colombian military personnel have reportedly travelled to the Sudanese warzone to fight alongside the Sudanese RSF militia, a group accused of terrible atrocities including massacres based on ethnicity and large-scale abductions.

Emergence of Involvement

The involvement of Colombian fighters initially emerged last year, following an investigation which disclosed that over three hundred retired troops had been contracted to engage in combat – an revelation that resulted in an unprecedented apology from the Colombian government.

These South American veterans 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, knowledge of Nato equipment, and superior tactical education.

Reported Actions

In the Sudanese theater, the mercenaries have been accused of teaching underage fighters, taught fighters to pilot drones, and participated in direct battles. One source remarked that instructing minors was "horrific and irrational" but added that "regrettably, war operates that way".

Sanctioned Individuals

Among those sanctioned was Álvaro Andrés Quijano Becerra, a dual Colombian-Italian national and ex-soldier based in the UAE. The US authorities said he had a key part in recruiting and deploying ex-military personnel to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was similarly targeted.

Also on the restricted list was Mateo Andrés Duque Botero, a individual with Colombian and Spanish citizenship who the Treasury stated managed a business accused of processing money and salaries for the scheme. "Over the past two years, American entities linked to Duque conducted numerous wire transfers, worth millions," the Treasury statement stated.

Colombian national Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the final person to be penalized, with the company she managed alleged to have wire transfers connected to Duque and his businesses.

"Washington reiterates its demand for foreign parties to halt the flow of monetary and weaponry aid to the combatants," the Treasury stated.

Reaction

A senior analyst, senior analyst at the International Crisis Group, labeled the actions as a "major" step, noting that "targeting the enablers is the correct approach".

She added that, Colombia recently passed a piece of legislation endorsing the anti-mercenary convention, designed to limit its citizens' long history in international fights and transform national security policy.

Sean McFate, a authority on private military contractors, urged more caution, stating that "penalties are required yet incomplete for addressing rampant mercenarism".

"It’s an illicit economy and operating from the UAE, which is relatively sanction-proof," he commented. The UAE has been frequently alleged of supplying weapons to the paramilitary group, allegations it disputes. "Expect more Colombian mercenaries," McFate warned.