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The United States has levied restrictions on a network of four people and four firms charged of enlisting former Colombian soldiers to fight for and train a militia force in Sudan the United States claims of acts of genocide.

Network Composition

Announcing the measures on Tuesday, the American treasury stated the operation was primarily made up of individuals and businesses from Colombia.

Scores of ex-soldiers from Colombia have been recruited to go to the Sudanese warzone to combat beside the Sudanese RSF militia, a faction accused of horrific war crimes such as targeted ethnic killings and large-scale abductions.

Revelation of Role

The role of these mercenaries initially emerged the previous year, following an report which found that hundreds of retired troops had been recruited to fight – an discovery that prompted an unusual statement of regret from Colombia’s foreign ministry.

Former Colombian military have historically been seen as among the world’s most sought-after mercenaries due to their extensive battlefield experience resulting from years of internal conflict, training on advanced weaponry, and elite military instruction.

Reported Actions

In Sudan, the Colombians have allegedly instructed minors, instructed militiamen in drone operation, and participated in direct battles. A mercenary previously stated that training children was "horrific and irrational" but noted that "unfortunately that’s how war is".

Targeted Persons

Among those penalized was a retired Colombian officer, a individual with dual citizenship and former army officer located in the Dubai. The US authorities said he had a central role in hiring and sending mercenaries to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was penalized as well.

Also on the restricted list was Duque Botero, a dual national who authorities say ran a firm linked to managing finances and payments for the network. "Over the past two years, American entities linked to Duque carried out several money transfers, worth millions," the official announcement noted.

Individual Mónica Muñoz was the fourth individual to be sanctioned, with the firm she operated alleged to have financial transactions connected to Duque and his businesses.

"The United States again calls on outside forces to cease providing monetary and weaponry aid to the combatants," the Treasury said in a statement.

Reaction

Elizabeth Dickinson, with the International Crisis Group, labeled the sanctions as a "highly important" milestone, noting that "calling out those who are doing the contracting is the right way to go".

It was also noted that, Colombia recently passed a piece of legislation endorsing the anti-mercenary convention, seeking to reduce years of participation by its nationals in overseas wars and reshape domestic defense strategy.

Sean McFate, a authority on private military contractors, called for greater wariness, stating that "sanctions are necessary but insufficient for addressing widespread use of contractors".

"This is a shadow economy and centered in Dubai, which is relatively sanction-proof," he commented. The United Arab Emirates has been frequently alleged of arming the RSF, allegations it disputes. "More contractors from Colombia are likely," he advised.