The Washington has levied restrictions on a group of four individuals and four companies charged of recruiting former Colombian soldiers to fight for and train a armed faction in Sudan which the US alleges of genocidal acts.
Announcing the measures on Tuesday, the American treasury stated the network was largely composed of Colombian nationals and companies.
Scores of ex-soldiers from Colombia have reportedly travelled to the conflict in Sudan to operate with the RSF paramilitary group, a faction accused of terrible atrocities such as targeted ethnic killings and mass abductions.
The involvement of Colombian fighters was first uncovered the previous year, after an report which disclosed that more than 300 ex-military personnel had been contracted to participate in the war – an revelation that led to an unprecedented apology from officials in Bogotá.
These South American veterans have widely regarded as highly prized fighters in conflict zones due to their considerable warzone knowledge acquired during decades of civil war, knowledge of Western military gear, and elite military instruction.
In Sudan, the mercenaries have reportedly trained minors, provided drone warfare training, and engaged in frontline combat. A mercenary previously stated that working with child soldiers was "horrific and irrational" but commented that "unfortunately that’s how war is".
Among those targeted was a dual national, a citizen of both Colombia and Italy and former army officer operating from the Dubai. The US authorities accused him a central role in hiring and sending former Colombian soldiers to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Oliveros, was also sanctioned.
Also on the restricted list was Duque Botero, a dual national who authorities say ran a firm linked to handling funds and payroll for the recruitment operation. "Over the past two years, companies in the United States associated with Duque engaged in numerous wire transfers, worth millions," the government release said.
Individual Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the other individual to be sanctioned, with the entity she oversaw alleged to have wire transfers associated with Duque and his businesses.
"The US once more urges outside forces to stop giving financial and military support to the combatants," the agency announced.
An expert, with the International Crisis Group, described the measures as a "highly important" milestone, noting that "calling out those who are doing the contracting is the right way to go".
She added that, Bogotá ratified a piece of legislation endorsing the global treaty against mercenarism, aiming to curb decades of Colombian involvement in international fights and transform national security policy.
A mercenary specialist, a scholar on the subject, called for greater wariness, stating that "penalties are required yet incomplete for dealing with the growing mercenary trade".
"It’s an illicit economy and operating from the UAE, which is difficult to penalize," he said. The UAE has been widely accused of supplying weapons to the paramilitary group, claims it rejects. "Expect more Colombian mercenaries," McFate warned.
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