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The US government has imposed sanctions on a group of four people and four firms charged of enlisting former Colombian soldiers to combat alongside and instruct a militia force in Sudan the United States claims of committing genocide.

Operation Structure

Revealing the sanctions on Tuesday, the American treasury stated the operation was largely composed of individuals and businesses from Colombia.

Scores of former Colombian military personnel have reportedly travelled to Sudan to combat beside the RSF paramilitary group, a group implicated in terrible atrocities encompassing massacres based on ethnicity and widespread kidnappings.

Revelation of Role

The involvement of Colombian fighters was first uncovered last year, prompted by an report which disclosed that more than 300 ex-military personnel had been contracted to participate in the war – an event that prompted an unusual statement of regret from Colombia’s foreign ministry.

These South American veterans have historically been seen as some of the most in-demand contractors globally due to their extensive battlefield experience gleaned from a long-running domestic war, training on Western military gear, and superior tactical education.

Reported Actions

In the conflict, the Colombians have reportedly trained minors, taught fighters to pilot drones, and participated in direct battles. An individual involved was quoted as saying that working with child soldiers was "horrific and irrational" but noted that "sadly, that is the nature of conflict".

Targeted Persons

Among those penalized was a dual national, a individual with dual citizenship and ex-soldier based in the UAE. The government said he had a key part in recruiting and deploying mercenaries to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Oliveros, was similarly targeted.

Also on the restricted list was Mateo Andrés Duque Botero, a dual national who the Treasury stated ran a firm accused of handling funds and payroll for the recruitment operation. "Recently, American entities connected to Duque engaged in several money transfers, totalling millions of US dollars," the official announcement noted.

Individual Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the fourth individual to be targeted, with the entity she oversaw alleged to have money transfers linked to Duque and his businesses.

"The US once more urges external actors to cease providing financial and military support to the belligerents," the agency announced.

Expert Analysis

Elizabeth Dickinson, with the International Crisis Group, called the measures as a "highly important" step, saying that "identifying the recruiters is the right way to go".

She added that, the Colombian government recently passed a statute ratifying the global treaty against mercenarism, seeking to reduce years of participation by its nationals in overseas wars and change its security approach.

Sean McFate, a scholar on the subject, urged more caution, saying that "sanctions are necessary but insufficient for addressing the growing mercenary trade".

"It operates in the black market and centered in the UAE, which is largely insulated from sanctions," he said. The United Arab Emirates has been widely accused of supplying weapons to the paramilitary group, claims it rejects. "Expect more Colombian mercenaries," the expert cautioned.