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The US government has levied restrictions on a group of several persons and entities charged of recruiting Colombian mercenaries to combat alongside and instruct a militia force in Sudan that Washington accuses of genocidal acts.

Network Composition

Revealing the sanctions on Tuesday, the US Treasury Department stated the operation was primarily made up of Colombian nationals and companies.

Hundreds of former Colombian military personnel have allegedly journeyed to Sudan to combat beside the RSF paramilitary group, a faction linked to horrific war crimes such as ethnically targeted slaughter and mass abductions.

Emergence of Involvement

The participation of ex-soldiers was first uncovered last year, prompted by an investigation which found that hundreds of retired troops had been contracted to participate in the war – an discovery that resulted in an unusual statement of regret from the Colombian government.

Former Colombian military have widely regarded as highly prized fighters in conflict zones due to their vast combat experience acquired during decades of civil war, familiarity with Western military gear, and high-level combat training.

Activities in Sudan

In the conflict, the contractors have allegedly instructed child soldiers, provided drone warfare training, and engaged in frontline combat. A mercenary remarked that training children was "terrible and insane" but noted that "sadly, that is the nature of conflict".

Sanctioned Individuals

Among those targeted was Álvaro Andrés Quijano Becerra, a individual with dual citizenship and retired Colombian military officer based in the Dubai. The Treasury alleged he played a pivotal function in enlisting and transporting mercenaries to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Oliveros, was also sanctioned.

Also on the sanctions list was Mateo Andrés Duque Botero, a dual national who authorities say ran a firm accused of processing money and salaries for the network. "Recently, American entities connected to Duque carried out multiple financial transactions, amounting to millions," the official announcement stated.

Citizen of Colombia Mónica Muñoz was the other individual to be penalized, with the firm she operated accused of money transfers linked to Duque and his companies.

"Washington reiterates its demand for foreign parties to stop giving financial and military support to the belligerents," the Treasury stated.

Reaction

A senior analyst, with the International Crisis Group, labeled the measures as a "highly important" development, noting that "identifying the recruiters is the right way to go".

It was also noted that, Bogotá ratified a law ratifying the global treaty against mercenarism, aiming to curb its citizens' long history in overseas wars and reshape its security approach.

Sean McFate, a authority on private military contractors, called for greater wariness, saying that "penalties are required yet incomplete for combating the growing mercenary trade".

"It operates in the black market and based out of the UAE, which is largely insulated from sanctions," he said. The Emirati government has been frequently alleged of providing arms to the militia, claims it rejects. "This trend will probably continue," the expert cautioned.