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The United States has imposed sanctions on a network of four individuals and four companies charged of enlisting South American contractors to combat alongside and instruct a militia force in Sudan that Washington accuses of committing genocide.

Network Composition

Revealing the restrictions on this week, the US Treasury Department stated the operation was primarily made up of Colombian citizens and firms.

Numerous of retired Colombian troops have been recruited to go to Sudan to combat beside the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a force linked to horrific war crimes including massacres based on ethnicity and large-scale abductions.

Revelation of Role

The role of these mercenaries was first uncovered last year, after an report which revealed that over three hundred former soldiers had been hired to participate in the war – an discovery that resulted in an unusual statement of regret from the Colombian government.

These South American veterans have widely regarded as some of the most in-demand contractors globally due to their extensive battlefield experience acquired during years of internal conflict, training on Nato equipment, and superior tactical education.

Activities in Sudan

In the Sudanese theater, the Colombians have allegedly instructed minors, instructed militiamen in drone operation, and fought directly on the frontlines. An individual involved was quoted as saying that instructing minors was "awful and crazy" but added that "regrettably, war operates that way".

Targeted Persons

Among those targeted was a dual national, a dual Colombian-Italian national and retired Colombian military officer located in the Dubai. The US authorities said he had a central role in hiring and sending mercenaries to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Oliveros, was similarly targeted.

Also on the sanctions list was Duque Botero, a dual national who officials alleged oversaw a company accused of handling funds and payroll for the network. "Over the past two years, companies in the United States connected to Duque conducted numerous wire transfers, amounting to millions," the official announcement noted.

Individual Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the fourth individual to be penalized, with the company she managed alleged to have money transfers linked to Duque and his operations.

"Washington reiterates its demand for external actors to halt the flow of funding and arms to the belligerents," the department announced.

Analyst Commentary

An expert, with the International Crisis Group, labeled the actions as a "major" development, stating that "identifying the recruiters is the proper strategy".

She added that, Bogotá recently passed a law approving the anti-mercenary convention, aiming to curb its citizens' long history in overseas wars and reshape national security policy.

A mercenary specialist, an expert on mercenaries, advised additional measures, saying that "penalties are required yet incomplete for dealing with rampant mercenarism".

"This is a shadow economy and centered in the Emirates, which is largely insulated from sanctions," he stated. The United Arab Emirates has been frequently alleged of providing arms to the militia, claims it rejects. "More contractors from Colombia are likely," McFate warned.