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The Washington has levied restrictions on a operation of several persons and entities charged of enlisting former Colombian soldiers to support and educate a militia force in Sudan that Washington accuses of genocidal acts.

Network Composition

Disclosing the restrictions on this week, the Treasury stated the operation was primarily made up of individuals and businesses from Colombia.

Hundreds of retired Colombian troops have allegedly journeyed to Sudan to combat beside the RSF paramilitary group, a group accused of horrific war crimes such as massacres based on ethnicity and widespread kidnappings.

Emergence of Involvement

The participation of ex-soldiers first came to light the previous year, prompted by an report which found that hundreds of former soldiers had been hired to fight – an discovery that led to an unusual statement of regret from Colombia’s foreign ministry.

These South American veterans have long been considered as some of the most in-demand contractors globally due to their extensive battlefield experience resulting from a long-running domestic war, knowledge of advanced weaponry, and elite military instruction.

Reported Actions

In the conflict, the mercenaries have been accused of teaching child soldiers, provided drone warfare training, and participated in direct battles. An individual involved was quoted as saying that working with child soldiers was "awful and crazy" but noted that "unfortunately that’s how war is".

Sanctioned Individuals

Among those sanctioned was Álvaro Andrés Quijano Becerra, a citizen of both Colombia and Italy and former army officer operating from the Dubai. The government said he had a key part in recruiting and deploying former Colombian soldiers 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 linked to handling funds and payroll for the recruitment operation. "Recently, US-based firms linked to Duque conducted several money transfers, totalling millions of US dollars," the official announcement noted.

Individual Mónica Muñoz was the other individual to be targeted, with the entity she oversaw said to have conducted financial transactions linked to Duque and his operations.

"The US once more urges outside forces to stop giving funding and arms to the belligerents," the Treasury announced.

Expert Analysis

A senior analyst, with the International Crisis Group, labeled the measures as a "very significant" development, stating that "targeting the enablers is the proper strategy".

It was also noted that, Bogotá ratified a law endorsing the International Convention Against the Recruitment and Use of Mercenaries, designed to limit years of participation by its nationals in overseas wars and reshape domestic defense strategy.

Sean McFate, an expert on mercenaries, urged more caution, saying that "penalties are required yet incomplete for combating the growing mercenary trade".

"This is a shadow economy and centered in Dubai, which is difficult to penalize," he commented. The UAE has been frequently alleged of supplying weapons to the paramilitary group, allegations it disputes. "Expect more Colombian mercenaries," McFate warned.