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The Washington has imposed sanctions on a operation of several persons and entities charged of enlisting South American contractors to fight for and train a armed faction in Sudan that Washington accuses of genocidal acts.

Network Composition

Disclosing the restrictions on Tuesday, the US Treasury Department stated the network was largely composed of Colombian citizens and firms.

Hundreds of ex-soldiers from Colombia have reportedly travelled to Sudan to combat beside the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a force implicated in terrible atrocities encompassing ethnically targeted slaughter and widespread kidnappings.

Revelation of Role

The participation of ex-soldiers first came to light the previous year, following an inquiry 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 Colombia’s foreign ministry.

These South American veterans have long been considered as highly prized fighters in conflict zones due to their vast combat experience acquired during years of internal conflict, familiarity with Nato equipment, and superior tactical education.

Activities in Sudan

In Sudan, the Colombians have allegedly instructed child soldiers, taught fighters to pilot drones, and participated in direct battles. An individual involved previously stated that working with child soldiers was "awful and crazy" but noted that "unfortunately that’s how war is".

Targeted Persons

Among those penalized was a retired Colombian officer, a citizen of both Colombia and Italy and retired Colombian military officer located in the Dubai. The Treasury said he had a central role in enlisting and transporting ex-military personnel to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Oliveros, was also sanctioned.

Also on the sanctions list was Mateo Andrés Duque Botero, a individual with Colombian and Spanish citizenship who the Treasury stated ran a firm linked to managing finances and payments for the recruitment operation. "Recently, American entities associated with Duque conducted several money transfers, totalling millions of US dollars," the official announcement said.

Individual Mónica Muñoz was the other individual to be sanctioned, with the firm she operated accused of money transfers associated with Duque and his businesses.

"The United States again calls on foreign parties to cease providing financial and military support to the warring parties," the department announced.

Analyst Commentary

An expert, senior analyst at the International Crisis Group, called the sanctions as a "major" milestone, noting that "identifying the recruiters is the proper strategy".

Furthermore, Colombia recently passed a statute ratifying the global treaty against mercenarism, seeking to reduce decades of Colombian involvement in international fights and reshape domestic defense strategy.

A mercenary specialist, a scholar on the subject, advised additional measures, stating that "restrictions are needed but not enough for dealing with rampant mercenarism".

"It operates in the black market and centered in Dubai, 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," he advised.