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The US government has levied restrictions on a network of four people and four firms accused of recruiting former Colombian soldiers to fight for and train a militia force in Sudan the United States claims of committing genocide.

Network Composition

Announcing the restrictions on Tuesday, the American treasury stated the operation was largely composed of Colombian nationals and companies.

Hundreds of retired Colombian troops have allegedly journeyed to Sudan to operate with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a faction accused of terrible atrocities including targeted ethnic killings and large-scale abductions.

Emergence of Involvement

The role of these mercenaries was first uncovered last year, following an report which disclosed that over three hundred former soldiers had been hired to fight – an discovery that led to an unusual statement of regret from officials in Bogotá.

Former Colombian military have long been considered as some of the most in-demand contractors globally due to their extensive battlefield experience gleaned from a long-running domestic war, knowledge of advanced weaponry, and high-level combat training.

Reported Actions

In Sudan, the Colombians have allegedly instructed minors, provided drone warfare training, and engaged in frontline combat. A mercenary previously stated that instructing minors was "terrible and insane" but commented that "regrettably, war operates that way".

Sanctioned Individuals

Among those sanctioned was a retired Colombian officer, a citizen of both Colombia and Italy and retired Colombian military officer located in the United Arab Emirates. The government alleged he played a key part in enlisting and transporting ex-military personnel to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Oliveros, was similarly targeted.

Also on the penalty list was Mateo Duque Botero, a individual with Colombian and Spanish citizenship who officials alleged managed a business linked to processing money and salaries for the network. "Recently, US-based firms connected to Duque carried out several money transfers, worth millions," the Treasury statement stated.

Colombian national Mónica Muñoz was the other individual to be targeted, with the firm she operated said to have conducted money transfers associated with Duque and his businesses.

"The US once more urges external actors to stop giving monetary and weaponry aid to the belligerents," the Treasury stated.

Analyst Commentary

Elizabeth Dickinson, from a conflict think tank, called the sanctions as a "major" development, saying that "identifying the recruiters is the proper strategy".

Furthermore, Bogotá ratified a statute approving the anti-mercenary convention, seeking to reduce years of participation by its nationals in overseas wars and reshape national security policy.

A mercenary specialist, a scholar on the subject, urged more caution, saying that "restrictions are needed but not enough for dealing with widespread use of contractors".

"It’s an illicit economy and operating from Dubai, which is relatively sanction-proof," he said. The Emirati government has been frequently alleged of arming the RSF, claims it rejects. "More contractors from Colombia are likely," he advised.