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The Washington has levied restrictions on a network of several persons and entities accused of hiring Colombian mercenaries to combat alongside and instruct a militia force in Sudan the United States claims of acts of genocide.

Network Composition

Revealing the measures on Tuesday, the Treasury stated the network was mostly comprised of individuals and businesses from Colombia.

Hundreds of ex-soldiers from Colombia have been recruited to go to Sudan to fight alongside the Sudanese RSF militia, a group accused of terrible atrocities such as ethnically targeted slaughter and large-scale abductions.

Revelation of Role

The participation of ex-soldiers initially emerged last year, prompted by an inquiry which disclosed that over three hundred retired troops had been recruited to participate in the war – an discovery that prompted an unprecedented apology from Colombia’s foreign ministry.

Former Colombian military have historically been seen as among the world’s most sought-after mercenaries due to their extensive battlefield experience acquired during years of internal conflict, knowledge of Nato equipment, and superior tactical education.

Role in the Conflict

In the Sudanese theater, the contractors have allegedly instructed underage fighters, taught fighters to pilot drones, and fought directly on the frontlines. An individual involved previously stated that training children was "awful and crazy" but commented that "sadly, that is the nature of conflict".

Named Entities

Among those targeted was a retired Colombian officer, a citizen of both Colombia and Italy and retired Colombian military officer operating from the United Arab Emirates. The Treasury accused him a key part in enlisting and transporting former Colombian soldiers to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Oliveros, was also sanctioned.

Also on the restricted list was Mateo Andrés Duque Botero, a dual national who officials alleged ran a firm linked to handling funds and payroll for the recruitment operation. "Recently, companies in the United States associated with Duque conducted numerous wire transfers, worth millions," the Treasury statement said.

Citizen of Colombia Mónica Muñoz was the fourth individual to be targeted, with the company she managed said to have conducted wire transfers linked to Duque and his businesses.

"The United States again calls on external actors to halt the flow of financial and military support to the combatants," the Treasury stated.

Expert Analysis

A senior analyst, senior analyst at the International Crisis Group, described the measures as a "very significant" step, noting that "targeting the enablers is the right way to go".

It was also noted that, Bogotá ratified a piece of legislation approving the anti-mercenary convention, seeking to reduce decades of Colombian involvement in overseas wars and reshape its security approach.

Sean McFate, a authority on private military contractors, urged more caution, saying that "sanctions are necessary but insufficient for dealing with the growing mercenary trade".

"It operates in the black market and based out of Dubai, which is difficult to penalize," he commented. The United Arab Emirates has been frequently alleged of providing arms to the militia, allegations it disputes. "Expect more Colombian mercenaries," the expert cautioned.