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The United States has imposed sanctions on a operation of four individuals and four companies charged of hiring Colombian mercenaries to fight for and train a armed faction in Sudan the United States claims of acts of genocide.

Operation Structure

Disclosing the restrictions on Tuesday, the US Treasury Department stated the scheme was mostly comprised of individuals and businesses from Colombia.

Scores of ex-soldiers from Colombia have been recruited to go to the conflict in Sudan to fight alongside the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a faction accused of terrible atrocities encompassing targeted ethnic killings and widespread kidnappings.

Revelation of Role

The involvement of Colombian fighters was first uncovered the previous year, prompted by an report which revealed that more than 300 ex-military personnel had been contracted to engage in combat – an event that led to an rare mea culpa from Colombia’s foreign ministry.

These South American veterans have historically been seen as among the world’s most sought-after mercenaries due to their vast combat experience resulting from a long-running domestic war, knowledge of Western military gear, and high-level combat training.

Activities in Sudan

In the conflict, the contractors have reportedly trained underage fighters, taught fighters to pilot drones, and engaged in frontline combat. A mercenary was quoted as saying that training children was "horrific and irrational" but commented that "sadly, that is the nature of conflict".

Named Entities

Among those penalized was a dual national, a citizen of both Colombia and Italy and ex-soldier based in the Dubai. The Treasury alleged he played a key part in hiring and sending former Colombian soldiers to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Oliveros, was also sanctioned.

Also on the sanctions list was Mateo Duque Botero, a dual national who authorities say managed a business linked to handling funds and payroll for the network. "Recently, US-based firms linked to Duque carried out multiple financial transactions, worth millions," the Treasury statement stated.

Individual Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the fourth individual to be penalized, with the entity she oversaw accused of wire transfers connected to Duque and his operations.

"Washington reiterates its demand for outside forces to cease providing financial and military support to the belligerents," the agency said in a statement.

Expert Analysis

Elizabeth Dickinson, senior analyst at the International Crisis Group, called the actions as a "major" milestone, saying that "targeting the enablers is the right way to go".

She added that, Colombia recently passed a piece of legislation endorsing the global treaty against mercenarism, aiming to curb its citizens' long history in overseas wars and reshape domestic defense strategy.

Another expert, a authority on private military contractors, urged more caution, noting that "restrictions are needed but not enough for addressing widespread use of contractors".

"It operates in the black market and operating from the UAE, which is difficult to penalize," he said. The UAE has been frequently alleged of providing arms to the militia, an accusation it has denied. "Expect more Colombian mercenaries," he advised.