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The United States has levied restrictions on a operation of four individuals and four companies accused of hiring South American contractors to fight for and train a militia force in Sudan that Washington accuses of acts of genocide.

Operation Structure

Announcing the restrictions on Tuesday, the American treasury stated the network was primarily made up of Colombian citizens and firms.

Hundreds of former Colombian military personnel have allegedly journeyed to the Sudanese warzone to fight alongside the Sudanese RSF militia, a group linked to terrible atrocities such as massacres based on ethnicity and large-scale abductions.

Revelation of Role

The participation of ex-soldiers initially emerged last year, prompted by an report which revealed that more than 300 retired troops had been contracted to participate in the war – an event that resulted in an unprecedented apology from officials in Bogotá.

These South American veterans have long been considered as some of the most in-demand contractors globally due to their vast combat experience resulting from years of internal conflict, familiarity with Western military gear, and elite military instruction.

Reported Actions

In Sudan, the mercenaries have reportedly trained minors, taught fighters to pilot drones, and fought directly on the frontlines. A mercenary was quoted as saying that working with child soldiers was "terrible and insane" but noted that "sadly, that is the nature of conflict".

Named Entities

Among those targeted was a dual national, a dual Colombian-Italian national and retired Colombian military officer based in the UAE. The US authorities said he had a key part in hiring and sending ex-military personnel to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Oliveros, was similarly targeted.

Also on the restricted list was Mateo Duque Botero, a dual Colombian-Spanish citizen who the Treasury stated oversaw a company linked to managing finances and payments for the scheme. "Recently, companies in the United States linked to Duque engaged in several money transfers, worth millions," the government release noted.

Colombian national Mónica Muñoz was the final person to be sanctioned, with the entity she oversaw alleged to have financial transactions associated with Duque and his companies.

"The United States again calls on foreign parties to halt the flow of monetary and weaponry aid to the warring parties," the agency said in a statement.

Reaction

Elizabeth Dickinson, senior analyst at the International Crisis Group, labeled the measures as a "very significant" step, stating that "calling out those who are doing the contracting is the proper strategy".

Furthermore, Colombia ratified a piece of legislation endorsing the International Convention Against the Recruitment and Use of Mercenaries, aiming to curb its citizens' long history in overseas wars and change domestic defense strategy.

Another expert, an expert on mercenaries, advised additional measures, noting that "penalties are required yet incomplete for addressing rampant mercenarism".

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