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The United States has enforced penalties on a operation of several persons and entities alleged of enlisting Colombian mercenaries to combat alongside and instruct a militia force in Sudan that Washington accuses of committing genocide.

Operation Structure

Announcing the measures on this week, the Treasury stated the scheme was primarily made up of individuals and businesses from Colombia.

Numerous of former Colombian military personnel have reportedly travelled to the conflict in Sudan to operate with the Sudanese RSF militia, a group linked to horrific war crimes such as targeted ethnic killings and mass abductions.

Revelation of Role

The role of these mercenaries was first uncovered the previous year, following an investigation which revealed that more than 300 ex-military personnel had been recruited to engage in combat – an event that prompted an unusual statement of regret from Colombia’s foreign ministry.

Former Colombian military have historically been seen as highly prized fighters in conflict zones due to their extensive battlefield experience gleaned from a long-running domestic war, knowledge of Western military gear, and high-level combat training.

Activities in Sudan

In the conflict, the mercenaries have allegedly instructed underage fighters, instructed militiamen in drone operation, and fought directly on the frontlines. An individual involved was quoted as saying that instructing minors was "awful and crazy" but noted that "unfortunately that’s how war is".

Sanctioned Individuals

Among those penalized was Álvaro Andrés Quijano Becerra, a dual Colombian-Italian national and former army officer based in the Dubai. The government accused him a key part in hiring and sending mercenaries to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Oliveros, was similarly targeted.

Also on the sanctions list was Duque Botero, a individual with Colombian and Spanish citizenship who the Treasury stated ran a firm linked to managing finances and payments for the scheme. "Recently, companies in the United States connected to Duque carried out several money transfers, amounting to millions," the Treasury statement stated.

Colombian national Mónica Muñoz was the final person to be sanctioned, with the entity she oversaw said to have conducted wire transfers linked to Duque and his companies.

"Washington reiterates its demand for outside forces to cease providing funding and arms to the combatants," the department said in a statement.

Analyst Commentary

An expert, with the International Crisis Group, described the actions as a "major" step, noting that "targeting the enablers is the proper strategy".

She added that, the Colombian government ratified a statute endorsing the anti-mercenary convention, seeking to reduce years of participation by its nationals in foreign conflicts and change its security approach.

Sean McFate, a scholar on the subject, called for greater wariness, saying that "sanctions are necessary but insufficient for dealing with the growing mercenary trade".

"This is a shadow economy and centered in Dubai, which is largely insulated from sanctions," he commented. The UAE has been frequently alleged of providing arms to the militia, allegations it disputes. "More contractors from Colombia are likely," he advised.