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The United States has levied restrictions on a operation of four people and four firms accused of recruiting former Colombian soldiers to support and educate a militia force in Sudan that Washington accuses of committing genocide.

Network Composition

Disclosing the restrictions on this week, the American treasury stated the operation was primarily made up of individuals and businesses from Colombia.

Numerous of former Colombian military personnel have been recruited to go to the conflict in Sudan to operate with the RSF paramilitary group, a force implicated in terrible atrocities such as targeted ethnic killings and large-scale abductions.

Discovery of Participation

The participation of ex-soldiers first came to light last year, prompted by an inquiry which disclosed that more than 300 retired troops had been hired to fight – an revelation that resulted in an unprecedented apology from officials in Bogotá.

Colombian ex-soldiers have widely regarded as among the world’s most sought-after mercenaries due to their extensive battlefield experience resulting from years of internal conflict, training on advanced weaponry, and superior tactical education.

Role in the Conflict

In the Sudanese theater, the contractors have allegedly instructed minors, instructed militiamen in drone operation, and participated in direct battles. One source remarked that working with child soldiers was "horrific and irrational" but commented that "sadly, that is the nature of conflict".

Named Entities

Among those penalized was a retired Colombian officer, a dual Colombian-Italian national and retired Colombian military officer operating from the UAE. The US authorities alleged he played a pivotal function in hiring and sending former Colombian soldiers to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Oliveros, was also sanctioned.

Also on the restricted list was Mateo Duque Botero, a dual national who officials alleged oversaw a company implicated in processing money and salaries for the recruitment operation. "Over the past two years, US-based firms connected to Duque carried out several money transfers, amounting to millions," the government release noted.

Individual Mónica Muñoz was the other individual to be targeted, with the firm she operated accused of money transfers associated with Duque and his companies.

"Washington reiterates its demand for foreign parties to cease providing financial and military support to the warring parties," the agency stated.

Reaction

An expert, senior analyst at the International Crisis Group, described the measures as a "highly important" step, noting that "identifying the recruiters is the right way to go".

Furthermore, Colombia ratified a piece of legislation endorsing the anti-mercenary convention, seeking to reduce decades of Colombian involvement in international fights and transform domestic defense strategy.

Another expert, a authority on private military contractors, advised additional measures, stating that "sanctions are necessary but insufficient for dealing with widespread use of contractors".

"It’s an illicit economy and operating from Dubai, which is relatively sanction-proof," he said. The Emirati government has been repeatedly implicated of arming the RSF, claims it rejects. "More contractors from Colombia are likely," the expert cautioned.