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The Washington has levied restrictions on a group of four individuals and four companies accused of enlisting Colombian mercenaries to support and educate a militia force in Sudan which the US alleges of genocidal acts.

Operation Structure

Disclosing the measures on Tuesday, the US Treasury Department stated the network was largely composed of individuals and businesses from Colombia.

Scores of retired Colombian troops have allegedly journeyed to the Sudanese warzone to combat beside the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a group linked to severe violations including ethnically targeted slaughter and mass abductions.

Emergence of Involvement

The involvement of Colombian fighters was first uncovered last year, following an report which disclosed that hundreds of retired troops had been hired to participate in the war – an discovery that prompted an unusual statement of regret from officials in Bogotá.

These South American veterans have long been considered as among the world’s most sought-after mercenaries due to their extensive battlefield experience resulting from decades of civil war, training on advanced weaponry, and superior tactical education.

Role in the Conflict

In the conflict, the mercenaries have been accused of teaching underage fighters, provided drone warfare training, and fought directly on the frontlines. An individual involved was quoted as saying that training children was "terrible and insane" but commented that "sadly, that is the nature of conflict".

Sanctioned Individuals

Among those targeted was a dual national, a individual with dual citizenship and ex-soldier operating from the UAE. The Treasury accused him a key part in hiring and sending mercenaries to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was similarly targeted.

Also on the penalty list was Mateo Duque Botero, a dual national who the Treasury stated ran a firm accused of handling funds and payroll for the recruitment operation. "Over the past two years, companies in the United States connected to Duque engaged in multiple financial transactions, worth millions," the official announcement noted.

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

"The US once more urges external actors to cease providing funding and arms to the belligerents," the agency said in a statement.

Analyst Commentary

Elizabeth Dickinson, with the International Crisis Group, described the sanctions as a "highly important" development, stating that "targeting the enablers is the correct approach".

It was also noted that, the Colombian government recently passed a piece of legislation ratifying the International Convention Against the Recruitment and Use of Mercenaries, seeking to reduce decades of Colombian involvement in international fights and change its security approach.

Sean McFate, an expert on mercenaries, urged more caution, noting that "penalties are required yet incomplete for addressing rampant mercenarism".

"This is a shadow economy and centered in the UAE, which is relatively sanction-proof," he stated. The Emirati government has been frequently alleged of arming the RSF, an accusation it has denied. "Expect more Colombian mercenaries," the expert cautioned.