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The US government has enforced penalties on a network of several persons and entities accused of enlisting Colombian mercenaries to fight for and train a armed faction in Sudan the United States claims of acts of genocide.

Network Composition

Disclosing the restrictions on Tuesday, the American treasury stated the scheme was largely composed of individuals and businesses from Colombia.

Hundreds of ex-soldiers from Colombia have allegedly journeyed to the conflict in Sudan to operate with the Sudanese RSF militia, a force linked to severe violations encompassing massacres based on ethnicity and large-scale abductions.

Discovery of Participation

The participation of ex-soldiers first came to light the previous year, following an report which found that hundreds of retired troops had been recruited to participate in the war – an discovery that resulted in an rare mea culpa from the Colombian government.

Colombian ex-soldiers have widely regarded as some of the most in-demand contractors globally due to their extensive battlefield experience acquired during a long-running domestic war, training on advanced weaponry, and high-level combat training.

Role in the Conflict

In the Sudanese theater, the Colombians have been accused of teaching minors, instructed militiamen in drone operation, and participated in direct battles. A mercenary previously stated that training children was "awful and crazy" but noted that "unfortunately that’s how war is".

Targeted Persons

Among those targeted was a dual national, a citizen of both Colombia and Italy and ex-soldier located in the UAE. The US authorities said he had a key part in enlisting and transporting mercenaries to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Oliveros, was penalized as well.

Also on the penalty list was Mateo Duque Botero, a dual national who authorities say managed a business linked to managing finances and payments for the scheme. "Recently, American entities linked to Duque conducted multiple financial transactions, worth millions," the government release noted.

Citizen of Colombia Mónica Muñoz was the final person to be sanctioned, with the company she managed alleged to have money transfers linked to Duque and his companies.

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

Expert Analysis

Elizabeth Dickinson, with the International Crisis Group, labeled the sanctions as a "major" development, stating that "identifying the recruiters is the correct approach".

She added that, Colombia ratified a piece of legislation endorsing the anti-mercenary convention, aiming to curb years of participation by its nationals in international fights and change its security approach.

Another expert, a scholar on the subject, called for greater wariness, stating that "sanctions are necessary but insufficient for dealing with rampant mercenarism".

"It’s an illicit economy and centered in the Emirates, which is relatively sanction-proof," he said. The United Arab Emirates has been frequently alleged of arming the RSF, claims it rejects. "This trend will probably continue," the expert cautioned.