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The United States has levied restrictions on a group of four individuals and four companies charged of enlisting Colombian mercenaries to fight for and train a armed faction in Sudan the United States claims of acts of genocide.

Operation Structure

Disclosing the restrictions on this week, the Treasury stated the network was mostly comprised of individuals and businesses from Colombia.

Hundreds of retired Colombian troops have been recruited to go to the Sudanese warzone to fight alongside the Sudanese RSF militia, a force linked to severe violations encompassing ethnically targeted slaughter and widespread kidnappings.

Discovery of Participation

The role of these mercenaries was first uncovered in 2024, prompted by an investigation which disclosed that hundreds of retired troops had been hired to participate in the war – an event that prompted an unusual statement of regret from officials in Bogotá.

Former Colombian military have long been considered as highly prized fighters in conflict zones due to their vast combat experience acquired during decades of civil war, familiarity with advanced weaponry, and superior tactical education.

Activities in Sudan

In the conflict, the Colombians have reportedly trained minors, taught fighters to pilot drones, and engaged in frontline combat. A mercenary previously stated that instructing minors was "terrible and insane" but added that "regrettably, war operates that way".

Named Entities

Among those penalized was a dual national, a citizen of both Colombia and Italy and retired Colombian military officer located in the United Arab Emirates. The government accused him a central role in recruiting and deploying mercenaries to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was also sanctioned.

Also on the penalty list was Mateo Andrés Duque Botero, a individual with Colombian and Spanish citizenship who authorities say oversaw a company implicated in processing money and salaries for the network. "Recently, US-based firms associated with Duque carried out numerous wire transfers, worth millions," the government release stated.

Citizen of Colombia Mónica Muñoz was the final person to be sanctioned, with the company she managed alleged to have financial transactions connected to Duque and his businesses.

"The US once more urges external actors to halt the flow of funding and arms to the combatants," the department said in a statement.

Analyst Commentary

Elizabeth Dickinson, with the International Crisis Group, labeled the actions as a "highly important" development, noting that "calling out those who are doing the contracting is the proper strategy".

Furthermore, Bogotá ratified a statute ratifying the anti-mercenary convention, designed to limit decades of Colombian involvement in overseas wars and change its security approach.

Sean McFate, an expert on mercenaries, advised additional measures, noting that "restrictions are needed but not enough for combating the growing mercenary trade".

"It’s an illicit economy and operating from Dubai, which is relatively sanction-proof," he commented. The Emirati government has been widely accused of supplying weapons to the paramilitary group, allegations it disputes. "Expect more Colombian mercenaries," the expert cautioned.