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The Washington has imposed sanctions on a operation of four individuals and four companies accused of recruiting Colombian mercenaries to combat alongside and instruct a armed faction in Sudan the United States claims of acts of genocide.

Network Composition

Announcing the measures on Tuesday, the American treasury stated the network was mostly comprised of Colombian nationals and companies.

Numerous of retired Colombian troops have been recruited to go to the Sudanese warzone to operate with the Sudanese RSF militia, a faction implicated in horrific war crimes encompassing massacres based on ethnicity and widespread kidnappings.

Emergence of Involvement

The role of these mercenaries was first uncovered the previous year, prompted by an inquiry which found that over three hundred retired troops had been contracted to fight – an event that resulted in an unusual statement of regret from the Colombian government.

These South American veterans have long been considered as some of the most in-demand contractors globally due to their considerable warzone knowledge acquired during a long-running domestic war, knowledge of Nato equipment, and superior tactical education.

Activities in Sudan

In Sudan, the mercenaries have been accused of teaching minors, instructed militiamen in drone operation, and participated in direct battles. One source previously stated that working with child soldiers was "horrific and irrational" but noted that "unfortunately that’s how war is".

Named Entities

Among those targeted was a dual national, a citizen of both Colombia and Italy and former army officer operating from the Dubai. The government said he had a key part in recruiting and deploying mercenaries to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Oliveros, was similarly targeted.

Also on the restricted list was Mateo Andrés Duque Botero, a dual national who the Treasury stated managed a business accused of managing finances and payments for the scheme. "Over the past two years, companies in the United States connected to Duque carried out multiple financial transactions, worth millions," the official announcement said.

Citizen of Colombia Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the other individual to be targeted, with the firm she operated alleged to have money transfers connected to Duque and his businesses.

"The United States again calls on outside forces to stop giving funding and arms to the belligerents," the department said in a statement.

Reaction

Elizabeth Dickinson, senior analyst at the International Crisis Group, described the measures as a "highly important" development, noting that "identifying the recruiters is the correct approach".

She added that, Bogotá recently passed a statute approving the global treaty against mercenarism, aiming to curb decades of Colombian involvement in international fights and transform its security approach.

Sean McFate, a authority on private military contractors, advised additional measures, saying that "restrictions are needed but not enough for addressing widespread use of contractors".

"It’s an illicit economy and centered in the Emirates, which is largely insulated from sanctions," he stated. The Emirati government has been frequently alleged of supplying weapons to the paramilitary group, claims it rejects. "Expect more Colombian mercenaries," he advised.