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The United States has imposed sanctions on a network of several persons and entities accused of hiring former Colombian soldiers to fight for and train a Sudanese paramilitary group the United States claims of genocidal acts.

Group Makeup

Revealing the sanctions on this week, the American treasury stated the scheme was primarily made up of Colombian nationals and companies.

Numerous of former Colombian military personnel have reportedly travelled to the Sudanese warzone to fight alongside the RSF paramilitary group, a faction implicated in terrible atrocities including massacres based on ethnicity and widespread kidnappings.

Discovery of Participation

The participation of ex-soldiers initially emerged last year, following an investigation which revealed that more than 300 ex-military personnel had been hired to fight – an event that led to an rare mea culpa from officials in Bogotá.

Colombian ex-soldiers have widely regarded as among the world’s most sought-after mercenaries due to their vast combat experience acquired during decades of civil war, knowledge of Western military gear, and elite military instruction.

Activities in Sudan

In the Sudanese theater, the Colombians have reportedly trained underage fighters, instructed militiamen in drone operation, and participated in direct battles. A mercenary was quoted as saying that instructing minors was "horrific and irrational" but noted that "unfortunately that’s how war is".

Sanctioned Individuals

Among those targeted was Álvaro Andrés Quijano Becerra, a individual with dual citizenship and ex-soldier operating from the UAE. The Treasury said he had a pivotal function in enlisting and transporting ex-military personnel to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Oliveros, was similarly targeted.

Also on the penalty list was Mateo Andrés Duque Botero, a dual national who authorities say managed a business implicated in managing finances and payments for the scheme. "Over the past two years, companies in the United States associated with Duque carried out several money transfers, worth millions," the government release stated.

Individual Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the other individual to be sanctioned, with the firm she operated alleged to have wire transfers connected to Duque and his companies.

"The US once more urges external actors to stop giving funding and arms to the belligerents," the Treasury stated.

Expert Analysis

A senior analyst, senior analyst at the International Crisis Group, labeled the actions as a "major" step, noting that "identifying the recruiters is the right way to go".

She added that, Bogotá has enacted a law approving the global treaty against mercenarism, designed to limit years of participation by its nationals in foreign conflicts and reshape domestic defense strategy.

Sean McFate, a scholar on the subject, urged more caution, stating that "restrictions are needed but not enough for combating 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, an accusation it has denied. "Expect more Colombian mercenaries," he advised.