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The Washington has levied restrictions on a network of several persons and entities accused of enlisting Colombian mercenaries to fight for and train a Sudanese paramilitary group which the US alleges of genocidal acts.

Operation Structure

Disclosing the restrictions on Tuesday, the US Treasury Department stated the scheme was largely composed of Colombian nationals and companies.

Hundreds of retired Colombian troops have reportedly travelled to the Sudanese warzone to fight alongside the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a faction implicated in severe violations such as targeted ethnic killings and mass abductions.

Revelation of Role

The involvement of Colombian fighters was first uncovered in 2024, after an inquiry which disclosed that hundreds of ex-military personnel had been contracted to engage in combat – an discovery that resulted in an rare mea culpa from officials in Bogotá.

These South American veterans have widely regarded as highly prized fighters in conflict zones due to their considerable warzone knowledge resulting from years of internal conflict, knowledge of advanced weaponry, and superior tactical education.

Activities in Sudan

In the Sudanese theater, the Colombians have allegedly instructed child soldiers, taught fighters to pilot drones, and engaged in frontline combat. An individual involved was quoted as saying that training children was "awful and crazy" but added that "sadly, that is the nature of conflict".

Named Entities

Among those penalized was a retired Colombian officer, a individual with dual citizenship and ex-soldier based in the UAE. The government alleged he played a central role in enlisting and transporting former Colombian soldiers to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was penalized as well.

Also on the restricted list was Mateo Duque Botero, a dual Colombian-Spanish citizen who authorities say ran a firm linked to managing finances and payments for the scheme. "Over the past two years, companies in the United States connected to Duque engaged in numerous wire transfers, totalling millions of US dollars," the government release stated.

Colombian national Mónica Muñoz was the fourth individual to be targeted, with the firm she operated alleged to have money transfers associated with Duque and his operations.

"The US once more urges foreign parties to stop giving funding and arms to the warring parties," the agency said in a statement.

Analyst Commentary

A senior analyst, with the International Crisis Group, labeled the actions as a "major" step, stating that "identifying the recruiters is the right way to go".

She added that, the Colombian government ratified a statute approving the anti-mercenary convention, seeking to reduce its citizens' long history in overseas wars and change its security approach.

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

"This is a shadow economy and centered in Dubai, which is relatively sanction-proof," he commented. The Emirati government has been frequently alleged of arming the RSF, claims it rejects. "More contractors from Colombia are likely," McFate warned.