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The Washington has enforced penalties on a network of four individuals and four companies charged of hiring South American contractors to fight for and train a armed faction in Sudan the United States claims of genocidal acts.

Network Composition

Revealing the restrictions on this week, the Treasury stated the scheme was primarily made up of Colombian nationals and companies.

Scores of ex-soldiers from Colombia have allegedly journeyed to the Sudanese warzone to operate with the RSF paramilitary group, a faction accused of severe violations encompassing targeted ethnic killings and mass abductions.

Revelation of Role

The participation of ex-soldiers first came to light in 2024, prompted by an investigation which found that more than 300 former soldiers had been recruited to engage in combat – an discovery that led to an rare mea culpa from the Colombian government.

Former Colombian military have widely regarded as highly prized fighters in conflict zones due to their vast combat experience gleaned from a long-running domestic war, knowledge of advanced weaponry, and elite military instruction.

Activities in Sudan

In the conflict, the mercenaries have reportedly trained minors, instructed militiamen in drone operation, and participated in direct battles. An individual involved previously stated that instructing minors was "horrific and irrational" but noted that "regrettably, war operates that way".

Named Entities

Among those penalized was a dual national, a citizen of both Colombia and Italy and ex-soldier located in the Dubai. The US authorities alleged he played a key part in hiring and sending former Colombian soldiers to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was similarly targeted.

Also on the sanctions list was Duque Botero, a dual Colombian-Spanish citizen who authorities say oversaw a company implicated in managing finances and payments for the recruitment operation. "Recently, US-based firms connected to Duque engaged in several money transfers, totalling millions of US dollars," the government release stated.

Individual Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the final person to be sanctioned, with the entity she oversaw alleged to have wire transfers connected to Duque and his companies.

"The US once more urges outside forces to stop giving funding and arms to the belligerents," the Treasury stated.

Analyst Commentary

A senior analyst, with the International Crisis Group, labeled the measures as a "major" step, stating that "calling out those who are doing the contracting is the proper strategy".

She added that, Bogotá recently passed a law endorsing the anti-mercenary convention, aiming to curb decades of Colombian involvement in overseas wars and transform its security approach.

A mercenary specialist, an expert on mercenaries, urged more caution, stating that "restrictions are needed but not enough for dealing with the growing mercenary trade".

"It’s an illicit economy and operating from Dubai, which is largely insulated from sanctions," he said. The Emirati government has been frequently alleged of providing arms to the militia, allegations it disputes. "More contractors from Colombia are likely," the expert cautioned.