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The US government has levied restrictions on a operation of several persons and entities accused of hiring South American contractors to support and educate a militia force in Sudan the United States claims of committing genocide.

Operation Structure

Announcing the measures on Tuesday, the American treasury stated the operation was largely composed of individuals and businesses from Colombia.

Scores of retired Colombian troops have reportedly travelled to Sudan to fight alongside the RSF paramilitary group, a force linked to terrible atrocities such as massacres based on ethnicity and mass abductions.

Emergence of Involvement

The participation of ex-soldiers first came to light last year, following an report which disclosed that more than 300 ex-military personnel had been recruited to fight – an event that led to 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 extensive battlefield experience acquired during years of internal conflict, knowledge of advanced weaponry, and high-level combat training.

Activities in Sudan

In Sudan, the contractors have allegedly instructed child soldiers, taught fighters to pilot drones, and fought directly on the frontlines. One source previously stated that instructing minors was "horrific and irrational" but noted that "unfortunately that’s how war is".

Named Entities

Among those targeted was a dual national, a dual Colombian-Italian national and retired Colombian military officer located in the UAE. The US authorities accused him a central role in recruiting and deploying mercenaries to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was penalized as well.

Also on the restricted list was Duque Botero, a individual with Colombian and Spanish citizenship who the Treasury stated ran a firm accused of handling funds and payroll for the network. "Recently, American entities connected to Duque conducted several money transfers, worth millions," the government release said.

Citizen of Colombia Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the fourth individual to be sanctioned, with the firm she operated alleged to have money transfers linked to Duque and his companies.

"The United States again calls on external actors to cease providing financial and military support to the warring parties," the department said in a statement.

Expert Analysis

An expert, from a conflict think tank, labeled the actions as a "highly important" development, saying that "calling out those who are doing the contracting is the proper strategy".

Furthermore, Colombia has enacted a statute approving the anti-mercenary convention, designed to limit years of participation by its nationals in overseas wars and reshape domestic defense strategy.

Another expert, a authority on private military contractors, called for greater wariness, saying that "restrictions are needed but not enough for addressing widespread use of contractors".

"It operates in the black market and based out of the Emirates, which is difficult to penalize," he commented. The UAE has been repeatedly implicated of arming the RSF, an accusation it has denied. "Expect more Colombian mercenaries," the expert cautioned.