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The US government has levied restrictions on a operation of several persons and entities accused of enlisting Colombian mercenaries to fight for and train a armed faction in Sudan the United States claims of committing genocide.

Operation Structure

Revealing the sanctions on this week, the US Treasury Department stated the scheme was largely composed of Colombian nationals and companies.

Numerous of retired Colombian troops have been recruited to go to the Sudanese warzone to operate with the RSF paramilitary group, a faction linked to horrific war crimes including targeted ethnic killings and widespread kidnappings.

Revelation of Role

The participation of ex-soldiers was first uncovered the previous year, following an investigation which revealed that over three hundred retired troops had been hired to fight – an revelation that resulted in an unusual statement of regret from officials in Bogotá.

Colombian ex-soldiers have historically been seen as among the world’s most sought-after mercenaries due to their vast combat experience gleaned from a long-running domestic war, training on Nato equipment, and high-level combat training.

Reported Actions

In the conflict, the mercenaries have been accused of teaching minors, instructed militiamen in drone operation, and engaged in frontline combat. A mercenary previously stated that instructing minors was "terrible and insane" but commented that "sadly, that is the nature of conflict".

Sanctioned Individuals

Among those sanctioned was a retired Colombian officer, a dual Colombian-Italian national and ex-soldier located in the UAE. The Treasury accused him a key part in recruiting and deploying mercenaries to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was penalized as well.

Also on the penalty list was Mateo Andrés Duque Botero, a individual with Colombian and Spanish citizenship who authorities say oversaw a company accused of processing money and salaries for the scheme. "Recently, US-based firms connected to Duque carried out several money transfers, worth millions," the official announcement said.

Colombian national Mónica Muñoz was the final person to be targeted, with the entity she oversaw alleged to have wire transfers connected to Duque and his operations.

"The United States again calls on outside forces to stop giving monetary and weaponry aid to the warring parties," the Treasury said in a statement.

Reaction

An expert, senior analyst at the International Crisis Group, labeled the sanctions as a "major" milestone, noting that "identifying the recruiters is the proper strategy".

She added that, the Colombian government has enacted a statute endorsing the anti-mercenary convention, seeking to reduce years of participation by its nationals in international fights and change domestic defense strategy.

Sean McFate, a authority on private military contractors, advised additional measures, stating that "restrictions are needed but not enough for addressing the growing mercenary trade".

"It operates in the black market and operating from the Emirates, which is largely insulated from sanctions," he stated. The United Arab Emirates has been frequently alleged of arming the RSF, allegations it disputes. "Expect more Colombian mercenaries," McFate warned.