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The US government has levied restrictions on a group of four people and four firms charged of enlisting former Colombian soldiers to support and educate a militia force in Sudan that Washington accuses of committing genocide.

Operation Structure

Announcing the restrictions on this week, the American treasury stated the scheme was largely composed of individuals and businesses from Colombia.

Numerous of ex-soldiers from Colombia have reportedly travelled to the Sudanese warzone to operate with the Sudanese RSF militia, a group implicated in horrific war crimes encompassing ethnically targeted slaughter and widespread kidnappings.

Emergence of Involvement

The involvement of Colombian fighters initially emerged the previous year, following an report which revealed that over three hundred ex-military personnel had been hired to fight – an event that prompted an rare mea culpa from Colombia’s foreign ministry.

These South American veterans have historically been seen as among the world’s most sought-after mercenaries due to their vast combat experience gleaned from years of internal conflict, training on Western military gear, and high-level combat training.

Reported Actions

In Sudan, the mercenaries have been accused of teaching underage fighters, instructed militiamen in drone operation, and engaged in frontline combat. One source previously stated that working with child soldiers was "terrible and insane" but commented that "unfortunately that’s how war is".

Sanctioned Individuals

Among those penalized was Álvaro Andrés Quijano Becerra, a individual with dual citizenship and ex-soldier operating from the UAE. The US authorities accused him a central role in hiring and sending mercenaries to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was also sanctioned.

Also on the restricted list was Duque Botero, a individual with Colombian and Spanish citizenship who authorities say ran a firm implicated in handling funds and payroll for the recruitment operation. "Over the past two years, American entities associated with Duque engaged in multiple financial transactions, worth millions," the official announcement stated.

Individual Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the final person to be penalized, with the firm she operated alleged to have financial transactions connected to Duque and his companies.

"The US once more urges outside forces to halt the flow of funding and arms to the combatants," the Treasury said in a statement.

Analyst Commentary

An expert, with the International Crisis Group, labeled the measures as a "major" step, saying that "calling out those who are doing the contracting is the proper strategy".

It was also noted that, Bogotá ratified a statute ratifying the International Convention Against the Recruitment and Use of Mercenaries, seeking to reduce years of participation by its nationals in overseas wars and change its security approach.

Another expert, a scholar on the subject, urged more caution, noting that "sanctions are necessary but insufficient for combating widespread use of contractors".

"It’s an illicit economy and based out of Dubai, which is largely insulated from sanctions," he said. The UAE has been frequently alleged of arming the RSF, allegations it disputes. "This trend will probably continue," the expert cautioned.