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The Washington has enforced penalties on a operation of four people and four firms alleged of recruiting South American contractors to support and educate a armed faction in Sudan which the US alleges of committing genocide.

Group Makeup

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

Numerous of retired Colombian troops have been recruited to go to the Sudanese warzone to operate with the Sudanese RSF militia, a faction accused of horrific war crimes encompassing ethnically targeted slaughter and mass abductions.

Discovery of Participation

The role of these mercenaries first came to light in 2024, after an inquiry which revealed that hundreds of ex-military personnel had been recruited to participate in the war – an discovery that prompted an unprecedented apology from Colombia’s foreign ministry.

Former Colombian military have historically been seen as among the world’s most sought-after mercenaries due to their vast combat experience acquired during a long-running domestic war, knowledge of advanced weaponry, and elite military instruction.

Role in the Conflict

In Sudan, the Colombians have been accused of teaching underage fighters, provided drone warfare training, and participated in direct battles. An individual involved was quoted as saying that working with child soldiers was "horrific and irrational" but added that "regrettably, war operates that way".

Sanctioned Individuals

Among those penalized was Álvaro Andrés Quijano Becerra, a citizen of both Colombia and Italy and retired Colombian military officer based in the United Arab Emirates. The Treasury alleged he played a key part in enlisting and transporting ex-military personnel to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was similarly targeted.

Also on the restricted list was Duque Botero, a individual with Colombian and Spanish citizenship who authorities say oversaw a company accused of handling funds and payroll for the network. "Recently, US-based firms associated with Duque conducted multiple financial transactions, worth millions," the Treasury statement stated.

Colombian national Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the fourth individual to be targeted, with the company she managed accused of financial transactions linked to Duque and his companies.

"The United States again calls on foreign parties to cease providing funding and arms to the belligerents," the Treasury stated.

Reaction

Elizabeth Dickinson, with the International Crisis Group, called the actions as a "very significant" step, noting that "calling out those who are doing the contracting is the correct approach".

She added that, the Colombian government has enacted a statute ratifying the anti-mercenary convention, aiming to curb years of participation by its nationals in overseas wars and reshape its security approach.

Sean McFate, a authority on private military contractors, called for greater wariness, noting that "sanctions are necessary but insufficient for dealing with the growing mercenary trade".

"This is a shadow economy and based out of the Emirates, which is relatively sanction-proof," he said. The United Arab Emirates has been widely accused of arming the RSF, claims it rejects. "This trend will probably continue," the expert cautioned.