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The United States has imposed sanctions on a network of four people and four firms alleged of hiring former Colombian soldiers to fight for and train a armed faction in Sudan which the US alleges of committing genocide.

Network Composition

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

Hundreds of retired Colombian troops have allegedly journeyed to the conflict in Sudan to combat beside the RSF paramilitary group, a group linked to terrible atrocities including targeted ethnic killings and widespread kidnappings.

Discovery of Participation

The participation of ex-soldiers first came to light last year, following an inquiry which found that hundreds of former soldiers had been hired to engage in combat – an event that led to an unusual statement of regret from Colombia’s foreign ministry.

Former Colombian military have widely regarded as highly prized fighters in conflict zones due to their considerable warzone knowledge resulting from decades of civil war, training on Nato equipment, and elite military instruction.

Role in the Conflict

In the Sudanese theater, the mercenaries have reportedly trained child soldiers, taught fighters to pilot drones, and fought directly on the frontlines. An individual involved previously stated that instructing minors was "terrible and insane" but commented that "sadly, that is the nature of conflict".

Named Entities

Among those targeted was a dual national, a dual Colombian-Italian national and former army officer operating from the United Arab Emirates. The government alleged he played a pivotal function in recruiting and deploying former Colombian soldiers to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was also sanctioned.

Also on the sanctions list was Mateo Andrés Duque Botero, a dual Colombian-Spanish citizen who authorities say oversaw a company linked to handling funds and payroll for the recruitment operation. "Recently, companies in the United States associated with Duque carried out several money transfers, amounting to millions," the Treasury statement said.

Citizen of Colombia Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the fourth individual to be penalized, with the firm she operated said to have conducted money transfers associated with Duque and his businesses.

"The United States again calls on external actors to stop giving monetary and weaponry aid to the combatants," the agency said in a statement.

Analyst Commentary

An expert, senior analyst at the International Crisis Group, described the measures as a "very significant" step, noting that "targeting the enablers is the proper strategy".

She added that, Colombia has enacted a law endorsing the International Convention Against the Recruitment and Use of Mercenaries, seeking to reduce decades of Colombian involvement in foreign conflicts and reshape national security policy.

A mercenary specialist, an expert on mercenaries, called for greater wariness, saying that "penalties are required yet incomplete for dealing with widespread use of contractors".

"This is a shadow economy and based out of Dubai, which is difficult to penalize," he said. The United Arab Emirates has been widely accused of arming the RSF, claims it rejects. "This trend will probably continue," he advised.