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The United States has levied restrictions on a network of four individuals and four companies alleged of enlisting Colombian mercenaries to fight for and train a armed faction in Sudan that Washington accuses of genocidal acts.

Network Composition

Disclosing the restrictions on this week, the US Treasury Department stated the network was largely composed of Colombian nationals and companies.

Hundreds of ex-soldiers from Colombia have reportedly travelled to the Sudanese warzone to combat beside the Sudanese RSF militia, a force accused of terrible atrocities encompassing ethnically targeted slaughter and large-scale abductions.

Revelation of Role

The role of these mercenaries was first uncovered last year, prompted by an investigation which disclosed that over three hundred ex-military personnel had been contracted to engage in combat – an discovery that prompted an unusual statement of regret from Colombia’s foreign ministry.

Colombian ex-soldiers have long been considered as among the world’s most sought-after mercenaries due to their vast combat experience acquired during years of internal conflict, familiarity with Western military gear, and superior tactical education.

Activities in Sudan

In Sudan, the Colombians have allegedly instructed underage fighters, provided drone warfare training, and fought directly on the frontlines. A mercenary previously stated that working with child soldiers was "horrific and irrational" but added that "sadly, that is the nature of conflict".

Sanctioned Individuals

Among those sanctioned was a retired Colombian officer, a dual Colombian-Italian national and retired Colombian military officer operating from the Dubai. The US authorities said he had a key part in enlisting and transporting mercenaries to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was also sanctioned.

Also on the penalty 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, US-based firms linked to Duque conducted numerous wire transfers, worth millions," the official announcement stated.

Individual Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the final person to be sanctioned, with the firm she operated accused of money transfers connected to Duque and his companies.

"The US once more urges external actors to stop giving monetary and weaponry aid to the warring parties," the department said in a statement.

Analyst Commentary

An expert, from a conflict think tank, described the actions as a "major" milestone, stating that "calling out those who are doing the contracting is the correct approach".

She added that, Bogotá has enacted a law ratifying the anti-mercenary convention, seeking to reduce years of participation by its nationals in overseas wars and change national security policy.

Sean McFate, a scholar on the subject, urged more caution, stating that "restrictions are needed but not enough for addressing widespread use of contractors".

"It’s an illicit economy and centered in the UAE, which is relatively sanction-proof," he said. The United Arab Emirates has been widely accused of providing arms to the militia, an accusation it has denied. "This trend will probably continue," McFate warned.