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The Washington has imposed sanctions on a network of four individuals and four companies alleged of recruiting Colombian mercenaries to support and educate a armed faction in Sudan that Washington accuses of genocidal acts.

Group Makeup

Revealing the restrictions on this week, the Treasury stated the scheme was mostly comprised of Colombian nationals and companies.

Hundreds of former Colombian military personnel have allegedly journeyed to the conflict in Sudan to operate with the RSF paramilitary group, a force linked to severe violations such as massacres based on ethnicity and mass abductions.

Emergence of Involvement

The participation of ex-soldiers first came to light last year, following an report which revealed that more than 300 retired troops had been contracted to participate in the war – an discovery that led to an unusual statement of regret from officials in Bogotá.

These South American veterans have historically been seen as among the world’s most sought-after mercenaries due to their considerable warzone knowledge resulting from decades of civil war, training on Nato equipment, and high-level combat training.

Reported Actions

In the conflict, the contractors have been accused of teaching underage fighters, provided drone warfare training, and participated in direct battles. A mercenary remarked that working with child soldiers was "terrible and insane" but noted that "regrettably, war operates that way".

Targeted Persons

Among those targeted was Álvaro Andrés Quijano Becerra, a dual Colombian-Italian national and retired Colombian military officer operating from the United Arab Emirates. The US authorities accused him a pivotal function in recruiting and deploying former Colombian soldiers to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Oliveros, was similarly targeted.

Also on the restricted list was Mateo Andrés Duque Botero, a individual with Colombian and Spanish citizenship who authorities say managed a business accused of handling funds and payroll for the scheme. "Over the past two years, US-based firms linked to Duque carried out multiple financial transactions, worth millions," the Treasury statement stated.

Citizen of Colombia Mónica Muñoz was the final person to be targeted, with the entity she oversaw alleged to have money transfers associated with Duque and his companies.

"Washington reiterates its demand for outside forces to cease providing monetary and weaponry aid to the belligerents," the agency announced.

Reaction

An expert, from a conflict think tank, called the actions as a "major" step, saying that "identifying the recruiters is the right way to go".

Furthermore, Colombia ratified a piece of legislation ratifying the anti-mercenary convention, designed to limit years of participation by its nationals in international fights and reshape domestic defense strategy.

A mercenary specialist, a authority on private military contractors, urged more caution, stating that "sanctions are necessary but insufficient for addressing widespread use of contractors".

"It’s an illicit economy and centered in the UAE, which is largely insulated from sanctions," he said. The UAE has been repeatedly implicated of supplying weapons to the paramilitary group, an accusation it has denied. "This trend will probably continue," McFate warned.