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The US government has imposed sanctions on a network of several persons and entities charged of hiring Colombian mercenaries to combat alongside and instruct a armed faction in Sudan the United States claims of genocidal acts.

Network Composition

Announcing the measures on Tuesday, the US Treasury Department stated the scheme was mostly comprised of Colombian nationals and companies.

Scores of former Colombian military personnel have been recruited to go to the Sudanese warzone to combat beside the RSF paramilitary group, a group accused of horrific war crimes encompassing targeted ethnic killings and mass abductions.

Emergence of Involvement

The role of these mercenaries first came to light in 2024, following an inquiry which disclosed that over three hundred ex-military personnel had been recruited to engage in combat – an event that prompted an unusual statement of regret from officials in Bogotá.

These South American veterans have long been considered as among the world’s most sought-after mercenaries due to their extensive battlefield experience resulting from a long-running domestic war, familiarity with Nato equipment, and high-level combat training.

Role in the Conflict

In the conflict, the Colombians have reportedly trained minors, taught fighters to pilot drones, and fought directly on the frontlines. A mercenary was quoted as saying that working with child soldiers was "horrific and irrational" but noted that "regrettably, war operates that way".

Named Entities

Among those targeted was Álvaro Andrés Quijano Becerra, a individual with dual citizenship and former army officer located in the Dubai. The government accused him a central role in hiring and sending ex-military personnel to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Oliveros, was penalized as well.

Also on the restricted 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. "Over the past two years, companies in the United States linked to Duque conducted multiple financial transactions, totalling millions of US dollars," the official announcement stated.

Colombian national Mónica Muñoz was the final person to be penalized, with the firm she operated accused of financial transactions associated with Duque and his operations.

"The United States again calls on outside forces to halt the flow of funding and arms to the warring parties," the agency stated.

Expert Analysis

A senior analyst, from a conflict think tank, described the measures as a "major" development, saying that "calling out those who are doing the contracting is the proper strategy".

She added that, Colombia has enacted a statute endorsing the anti-mercenary convention, seeking to reduce its citizens' long history in overseas wars and reshape its security approach.

Another expert, a authority on private military contractors, urged more caution, noting that "sanctions are necessary but insufficient for combating widespread use of contractors".

"This is a shadow economy and operating from the Emirates, which is relatively sanction-proof," he commented. The Emirati government has been widely accused of supplying weapons to the paramilitary group, allegations it disputes. "Expect more Colombian mercenaries," the expert cautioned.