US Imposes Restrictions on Operation Accused of Funneling Colombian Contractors to Sudan.

The United States has imposed sanctions on a operation of several persons and entities accused of enlisting Colombian mercenaries to combat alongside and instruct a Sudanese paramilitary group that Washington accuses of genocidal acts.

Operation Structure

Disclosing the sanctions on this week, the American treasury stated the scheme was largely composed of individuals and businesses from Colombia.

Numerous of retired Colombian troops have been recruited to go to the conflict in Sudan to operate with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a force linked to horrific war crimes including massacres based on ethnicity and large-scale abductions.

Emergence of Involvement

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

Colombian ex-soldiers have long been considered as among the world’s most sought-after mercenaries due to their extensive battlefield experience resulting from a long-running domestic war, training on advanced weaponry, and high-level combat training.

Activities in Sudan

In the conflict, the contractors have reportedly trained underage fighters, taught fighters to pilot drones, and engaged in frontline combat. An individual involved previously stated that instructing minors was "terrible and insane" but added that "regrettably, war operates that way".

Targeted Persons

Among those targeted was Álvaro Andrés Quijano Becerra, a citizen of both Colombia and Italy and former army officer operating from the Dubai. The government accused him a central role in hiring and sending mercenaries to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was penalized as well.

Also on the penalty list was Mateo Andrés Duque Botero, a dual national who the Treasury stated managed a business linked to managing finances and payments for the recruitment operation. "Recently, American entities associated with Duque conducted multiple financial transactions, worth millions," the government release stated.

Colombian national Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the final person to be sanctioned, with the company she managed alleged to have wire transfers connected to Duque and his operations.

"Washington reiterates its demand for foreign parties to stop giving funding and arms to the warring parties," the department stated.

Reaction

Elizabeth Dickinson, with the International Crisis Group, labeled the measures as a "very significant" milestone, noting that "targeting the enablers is the right way to go".

She added that, Colombia recently passed a piece of legislation approving the global treaty against mercenarism, seeking to reduce its citizens' long history in foreign conflicts and transform its security approach.

Sean McFate, an expert on mercenaries, urged more caution, noting that "restrictions are needed but not enough for dealing with the growing mercenary trade".

"It operates in the black market and centered in the UAE, which is relatively sanction-proof," he said. The United Arab Emirates has been repeatedly implicated of supplying weapons to the paramilitary group, claims it rejects. "Expect more Colombian mercenaries," the expert cautioned.