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The United States has enforced penalties on a network of four people and four firms accused of hiring former Colombian soldiers to combat alongside and instruct a armed faction in Sudan that Washington accuses of genocidal acts.

Network Composition

Announcing the sanctions on this week, the Treasury stated the operation was mostly comprised of individuals and businesses from Colombia.

Numerous of former Colombian military personnel have been recruited to go to Sudan to operate with the Sudanese RSF militia, a group accused of severe violations including targeted ethnic killings and mass abductions.

Revelation of Role

The involvement of Colombian fighters initially emerged the previous year, after an report which disclosed that over three hundred retired troops had been hired to fight – an discovery that prompted an unprecedented apology from the Colombian government.

These South American veterans have historically been seen as among the world’s most sought-after mercenaries due to their extensive battlefield experience acquired during years of internal conflict, familiarity with Nato equipment, and superior tactical education.

Activities in Sudan

In the Sudanese theater, the mercenaries have been accused of teaching minors, taught fighters to pilot drones, and fought directly on the frontlines. An individual involved previously stated that training children was "terrible and insane" but noted that "regrettably, war operates that way".

Sanctioned Individuals

Among those targeted was Álvaro Andrés Quijano Becerra, a dual Colombian-Italian national and retired Colombian military officer located in the UAE. The US authorities alleged he played a key part in recruiting and deploying ex-military personnel to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Oliveros, was also sanctioned.

Also on the penalty list was Mateo Andrés Duque Botero, a dual national who the Treasury stated oversaw a company accused of processing money and salaries for the scheme. "Recently, US-based firms associated with Duque carried out multiple financial transactions, amounting to millions," the official announcement stated.

Citizen of Colombia Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the fourth individual to be penalized, with the entity she oversaw alleged to have money transfers linked to Duque and his companies.

"The United States again calls on foreign parties to halt the flow of monetary and weaponry aid to the warring parties," the Treasury said in a statement.

Expert Analysis

A senior analyst, with the International Crisis Group, described the actions as a "major" development, noting that "identifying the recruiters is the right way to go".

Furthermore, Bogotá has enacted a piece of legislation ratifying the anti-mercenary convention, seeking to reduce years of participation by its nationals in overseas wars and change its security approach.

Sean McFate, a scholar on the subject, urged more caution, stating that "sanctions are necessary but insufficient for addressing the growing mercenary trade".

"It operates in the black market and centered in Dubai, which is largely insulated from sanctions," he stated. The United Arab Emirates has been widely accused of providing arms to the militia, an accusation it has denied. "More contractors from Colombia are likely," the expert cautioned.