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The United States has levied restrictions on a network of several persons and entities accused of enlisting former Colombian soldiers to combat alongside and instruct a militia force in Sudan which the US alleges of acts of genocide.

Group Makeup

Announcing the measures on Tuesday, the Treasury stated the operation was largely composed of Colombian nationals and companies.

Numerous of retired Colombian troops have been recruited to go to the conflict in Sudan to operate with the Sudanese RSF militia, a group implicated in terrible atrocities such as massacres based on ethnicity and large-scale abductions.

Discovery of Participation

The role of these mercenaries first came to light last year, prompted by an report which revealed that over three hundred former soldiers had been recruited to participate in the war – an revelation that led to an unprecedented apology from the Colombian government.

Former Colombian military have widely regarded as some of the most in-demand contractors globally due to their considerable warzone knowledge acquired during a long-running domestic war, familiarity with Nato equipment, and elite military instruction.

Activities in Sudan

In the conflict, the contractors have been accused of teaching minors, instructed militiamen in drone operation, and participated in direct battles. A mercenary remarked that instructing minors was "horrific and irrational" but noted that "regrettably, war operates that way".

Sanctioned Individuals

Among those targeted was a retired Colombian officer, a citizen of both Colombia and Italy and retired Colombian military officer operating from the UAE. The government accused him a pivotal function in recruiting and deploying mercenaries to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Oliveros, was similarly targeted.

Also on the restricted list was Duque Botero, a dual national who authorities say oversaw a company accused of processing money and salaries for the scheme. "Recently, American entities connected to Duque engaged in several money transfers, worth millions," the official announcement noted.

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

"The United States again calls on foreign parties to cease providing monetary and weaponry aid to the belligerents," the Treasury stated.

Analyst Commentary

A senior analyst, senior analyst at the International Crisis Group, described the measures as a "highly important" development, stating that "targeting the enablers is the right way to go".

She added that, the Colombian government has enacted a statute endorsing the anti-mercenary convention, aiming to curb years of participation by its nationals in foreign conflicts and change its security approach.

A mercenary specialist, a scholar on the subject, urged more caution, saying that "sanctions are necessary but insufficient for addressing the growing mercenary trade".

"It’s an illicit economy and based out of the Emirates, which is relatively sanction-proof," he said. The UAE has been repeatedly implicated of supplying weapons to the paramilitary group, allegations it disputes. "Expect more Colombian mercenaries," the expert cautioned.