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The United States has imposed sanctions on a network of several persons and entities charged of recruiting South American contractors to support and educate a Sudanese paramilitary group that Washington accuses of genocidal acts.

Operation Structure

Announcing the sanctions on this week, the Treasury stated the network was mostly comprised of Colombian nationals and companies.

Numerous of retired Colombian troops have reportedly travelled to the Sudanese warzone to combat beside the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a faction accused of horrific war crimes including targeted ethnic killings and mass abductions.

Discovery of Participation

The participation of ex-soldiers first came to light the previous year, prompted by an inquiry which found that more than 300 retired troops had been contracted to participate in the war – an event that prompted an unprecedented apology from officials in Bogotá.

Former Colombian military have widely regarded as some of the most in-demand contractors globally due to their considerable warzone knowledge resulting from decades of civil war, familiarity with Western military gear, and high-level combat training.

Reported Actions

In Sudan, the contractors have been accused of teaching minors, instructed militiamen in drone operation, and engaged in frontline combat. One source remarked that working with child soldiers was "horrific and irrational" but commented that "unfortunately that’s how war is".

Named Entities

Among those sanctioned was Álvaro Andrés Quijano Becerra, a citizen of both Colombia and Italy and retired Colombian military officer located in the United Arab Emirates. The Treasury said he had a pivotal function in hiring and sending mercenaries to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Oliveros, was also sanctioned.

Also on the restricted list was Mateo Duque Botero, a dual Colombian-Spanish citizen who officials alleged ran a firm accused of handling funds and payroll for the scheme. "Over the past two years, American entities linked to Duque engaged in several money transfers, worth millions," the government release stated.

Individual Mónica Muñoz was the final person to be targeted, with the company she managed alleged to have financial transactions connected to Duque and his companies.

"The US once more urges external actors to halt the flow of monetary and weaponry aid to the warring parties," the Treasury said in a statement.

Analyst Commentary

A senior analyst, from a conflict think tank, labeled the actions as a "very significant" milestone, noting that "identifying the recruiters is the correct approach".

It was also noted that, Colombia ratified a law endorsing the International Convention Against the Recruitment and Use of Mercenaries, designed to limit decades of Colombian involvement in international fights and change national security policy.

Sean McFate, an expert on mercenaries, urged more caution, saying that "restrictions are needed but not enough for combating the growing mercenary trade".

"It operates in the black market and centered in Dubai, which is relatively sanction-proof," he stated. The United Arab Emirates has been widely accused of providing arms to the militia, claims it rejects. "Expect more Colombian mercenaries," the expert cautioned.