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The Washington has levied restrictions on a group of four people and four firms alleged of enlisting former Colombian soldiers to fight for and train a armed faction in Sudan that Washington accuses of committing genocide.

Network Composition

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

Hundreds of retired Colombian troops have allegedly journeyed to the conflict in Sudan to operate with the RSF paramilitary group, a force implicated in severe violations including targeted ethnic killings and widespread kidnappings.

Discovery of Participation

The role of these mercenaries initially emerged last year, following an inquiry which found that more than 300 ex-military personnel had been hired to participate in the war – an event that resulted in 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 vast combat experience acquired during a long-running domestic war, knowledge of Nato equipment, and elite military instruction.

Activities in Sudan

In the Sudanese theater, the contractors have allegedly instructed child soldiers, taught fighters to pilot drones, and engaged in frontline combat. An individual involved was quoted as saying that working with child soldiers was "horrific and irrational" but noted that "unfortunately that’s how war is".

Named Entities

Among those penalized was a dual national, a citizen of both Colombia and Italy and former army officer based in the UAE. The government said he had a central role in hiring and sending mercenaries to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Oliveros, was also sanctioned.

Also on the restricted list was Mateo Andrés Duque Botero, a dual Colombian-Spanish citizen who the Treasury stated ran a firm accused of processing money and salaries for the scheme. "Recently, American entities associated with Duque carried out multiple financial transactions, worth millions," the official announcement said.

Colombian national Mónica Muñoz was the fourth individual to be penalized, with the company she managed accused of financial transactions associated with Duque and his companies.

"The US once more urges foreign parties to halt the flow of funding and arms to the belligerents," the agency said in a statement.

Reaction

A senior analyst, senior analyst at the International Crisis Group, called the measures as a "very significant" step, stating that "identifying the recruiters is the right way to go".

Furthermore, Bogotá recently passed a statute approving the anti-mercenary convention, designed to limit its citizens' long history in overseas wars and reshape domestic defense strategy.

A mercenary specialist, an expert on mercenaries, urged more caution, stating that "sanctions are necessary but insufficient for combating rampant mercenarism".

"This is a shadow economy and based out of the UAE, which is difficult to penalize," he stated. The UAE has been frequently alleged of arming the RSF, claims it rejects. "More contractors from Colombia are likely," McFate warned.