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The United States has imposed sanctions on a operation of four individuals and four companies charged of hiring former Colombian soldiers to combat alongside and instruct a militia force in Sudan that Washington accuses of committing genocide.

Operation Structure

Disclosing the restrictions on Tuesday, the Treasury stated the network was primarily made up of individuals and businesses from Colombia.

Hundreds of former Colombian military personnel have allegedly journeyed to Sudan to combat beside the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a group accused of terrible atrocities such as massacres based on ethnicity and widespread kidnappings.

Revelation of Role

The participation of ex-soldiers initially emerged the previous year, following an inquiry which disclosed that over three hundred former soldiers had been hired to fight – an event that resulted in an unusual statement of regret from the Colombian government.

Colombian ex-soldiers have long been considered as highly prized fighters in conflict zones due to their extensive battlefield experience acquired during decades of civil war, familiarity with Western military gear, and elite military instruction.

Activities in Sudan

In the conflict, the contractors have allegedly instructed minors, taught fighters to pilot drones, and participated in direct battles. A mercenary was quoted as saying that working with child soldiers was "horrific and irrational" but noted that "regrettably, war operates that way".

Targeted Persons

Among those penalized was Álvaro Andrés Quijano Becerra, a individual with dual citizenship and former army officer located in the Dubai. The government accused him a key part in enlisting and transporting ex-military personnel to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Oliveros, was similarly targeted.

Also on the penalty list was Mateo Andrés Duque Botero, a individual with Colombian and Spanish citizenship who officials alleged ran a firm linked to managing finances and payments for the recruitment operation. "Over the past two years, American entities connected to Duque carried out numerous wire transfers, amounting to millions," the official announcement noted.

Colombian national Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the fourth individual to be targeted, with the company she managed accused of financial transactions connected to Duque and his businesses.

"The United States again calls on external actors to stop giving financial and military support to the combatants," the Treasury announced.

Analyst Commentary

A senior analyst, senior analyst at the International Crisis Group, labeled the measures as a "highly important" milestone, noting that "identifying the recruiters is the proper strategy".

She added that, Bogotá ratified a statute ratifying the anti-mercenary convention, aiming to curb decades of Colombian involvement in international fights and reshape domestic defense strategy.

Another expert, a authority on private military contractors, called for greater wariness, stating that "restrictions are needed but not enough for dealing with widespread use of contractors".

"It operates in the black market and centered in the UAE, which is relatively sanction-proof," he commented. The United Arab Emirates has been widely accused of arming the RSF, claims it rejects. "This trend will probably continue," the expert cautioned.