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The United States has levied restrictions on a operation of several persons and entities alleged of recruiting South American contractors to support and educate a militia force in Sudan that Washington accuses of acts of genocide.

Group Makeup

Announcing the sanctions on Tuesday, the US Treasury Department stated the network was largely composed of Colombian nationals and companies.

Scores of retired Colombian troops have reportedly travelled to the conflict in Sudan to fight alongside the RSF paramilitary group, a group implicated in severe violations including targeted ethnic killings and widespread kidnappings.

Emergence of Involvement

The involvement of Colombian fighters first came to light last year, following an inquiry which revealed that more than 300 former soldiers had been contracted to fight – an discovery that led to an unusual statement of regret from Colombia’s foreign ministry.

Former Colombian military have long been considered as among the world’s most sought-after mercenaries due to their vast combat experience acquired during a long-running domestic war, knowledge of Western military gear, and high-level combat training.

Role in the Conflict

In the Sudanese theater, the mercenaries have allegedly instructed minors, instructed militiamen in drone operation, and engaged in frontline combat. An individual involved was quoted as saying that working with child soldiers was "awful and crazy" but commented that "sadly, that is the nature of conflict".

Targeted Persons

Among those sanctioned was a retired Colombian officer, a citizen of both Colombia and Italy and retired Colombian military officer operating from the United Arab Emirates. The US authorities said he had a pivotal function in enlisting and transporting ex-military personnel to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was penalized as well.

Also on the restricted list was Mateo Andrés Duque Botero, a dual Colombian-Spanish citizen who the Treasury stated managed a business implicated in handling funds and payroll for the network. "Recently, American entities linked to Duque carried out several money transfers, worth millions," the official announcement noted.

Colombian national Mónica Muñoz was the final person to be sanctioned, with the company she managed said to have conducted wire transfers associated with Duque and his businesses.

"The US once more urges foreign parties to stop giving monetary and weaponry aid to the belligerents," the Treasury stated.

Analyst Commentary

An expert, with the International Crisis Group, labeled the sanctions as a "major" development, saying that "calling out those who are doing the contracting is the correct approach".

It was also noted that, Bogotá has enacted a statute ratifying the International Convention Against the Recruitment and Use of Mercenaries, seeking to reduce years of participation by its nationals in international fights and reshape national security policy.

Another expert, a authority on private military contractors, urged more caution, noting that "restrictions are needed but not enough for combating rampant mercenarism".

"It’s an illicit economy and operating from Dubai, which is largely insulated from sanctions," he said. The Emirati government has been widely accused of arming the RSF, an accusation it has denied. "More contractors from Colombia are likely," he advised.