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The Washington has imposed sanctions on a operation of four people and four firms 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 measures on this week, the American treasury stated the network was primarily made up of Colombian nationals and companies.

Scores of ex-soldiers from Colombia have reportedly travelled to the conflict in Sudan to operate with the Sudanese RSF militia, a group linked to terrible atrocities including massacres based on ethnicity and widespread kidnappings.

Revelation of Role

The role of these mercenaries first came to light the previous year, prompted by an report which found that hundreds of former soldiers had been recruited to engage in combat – an revelation that led to an unusual statement of regret from Colombia’s foreign ministry.

These South American veterans have historically been seen as some of the most in-demand contractors globally due to their vast combat experience gleaned from years of internal conflict, familiarity with advanced weaponry, and high-level combat training.

Activities in Sudan

In the Sudanese theater, the Colombians have allegedly instructed minors, instructed militiamen in drone operation, and fought directly on the frontlines. An individual involved remarked that working with child soldiers was "terrible and insane" but commented that "unfortunately that’s how war is".

Named Entities

Among those sanctioned was a dual national, a citizen of both Colombia and Italy and former army officer based in the United Arab Emirates. The government alleged he played a central role in enlisting and transporting ex-military personnel to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Oliveros, was also sanctioned.

Also on the penalty list was Duque Botero, a dual Colombian-Spanish citizen who authorities say ran a firm implicated in handling funds and payroll for the network. "Over the past two years, American entities linked to Duque engaged in multiple financial transactions, worth millions," the official announcement said.

Colombian national Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the other individual to be sanctioned, with the firm she operated accused of financial transactions associated with Duque and his operations.

"The US once more urges outside forces to cease providing monetary and weaponry aid to the warring parties," the Treasury stated.

Reaction

Elizabeth Dickinson, senior analyst at the International Crisis Group, called the measures as a "major" step, saying that "targeting the enablers is the proper strategy".

She added that, the Colombian government recently passed a piece of legislation ratifying the global treaty against mercenarism, seeking to reduce years of participation by its nationals in foreign conflicts and change national security policy.

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

"This is a shadow economy and based out of Dubai, which is largely insulated from sanctions," he said. The United Arab Emirates has been frequently alleged of providing arms to the militia, allegations it disputes. "More contractors from Colombia are likely," the expert cautioned.