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The US government has imposed sanctions on a network of four people and four firms alleged of hiring South American contractors to support and educate a armed faction in Sudan that Washington accuses of committing genocide.

Network Composition

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

Numerous of retired Colombian troops have reportedly travelled to the conflict in Sudan to operate with the RSF paramilitary group, a faction implicated in severe violations such as targeted ethnic killings and mass abductions.

Revelation of Role

The participation of ex-soldiers first came to light the previous year, after an inquiry which disclosed that hundreds of former soldiers had been hired to participate in the war – an discovery that prompted an unusual statement of regret from the Colombian government.

Colombian ex-soldiers have widely regarded as among the world’s most sought-after mercenaries due to their considerable warzone knowledge acquired during years of internal conflict, knowledge of advanced weaponry, and high-level combat training.

Reported Actions

In the Sudanese theater, the Colombians have been accused of teaching underage fighters, instructed militiamen in drone operation, and fought directly on the frontlines. A mercenary remarked that instructing minors was "terrible and insane" but added that "sadly, that is the nature of conflict".

Named Entities

Among those sanctioned was Álvaro Andrés Quijano Becerra, a dual Colombian-Italian national and former army officer based in the Dubai. The US authorities accused him a pivotal function in recruiting and deploying ex-military personnel to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was penalized as well.

Also on the penalty list was Mateo Duque Botero, a dual national who officials alleged ran a firm accused of processing money and salaries for the network. "Recently, companies in the United States linked to Duque engaged in numerous wire transfers, worth millions," the official announcement noted.

Citizen of Colombia Mónica Muñoz was the other individual to be penalized, with the company she managed said to have conducted financial transactions linked to Duque and his companies.

"Washington reiterates its demand for foreign parties to halt the flow of funding and arms to the combatants," the department stated.

Expert Analysis

An expert, senior analyst at the International Crisis Group, labeled the sanctions as a "very significant" development, stating that "calling out those who are doing the contracting is the correct approach".

Furthermore, Bogotá recently passed a statute approving the global treaty against mercenarism, aiming to curb decades of Colombian involvement in international fights and reshape its security approach.

A mercenary specialist, an expert on mercenaries, urged more caution, noting that "sanctions are necessary but insufficient for combating widespread use of contractors".

"It operates in the black market and operating from Dubai, which is relatively sanction-proof," he stated. The Emirati government has been frequently alleged of supplying weapons to the paramilitary group, allegations it disputes. "Expect more Colombian mercenaries," McFate warned.