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The United States has imposed sanctions on a operation of four individuals and four companies accused of hiring South American contractors to combat alongside and instruct a militia force in Sudan which the US alleges of genocidal acts.

Operation Structure

Disclosing the measures on Tuesday, the American treasury stated the network was mostly comprised of Colombian citizens and firms.

Hundreds of retired Colombian troops have reportedly travelled to the Sudanese warzone to operate with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a force linked to terrible atrocities encompassing massacres based on ethnicity and mass abductions.

Revelation of Role

The participation of ex-soldiers was first uncovered the previous year, after an report which disclosed that more than 300 former soldiers had been hired to engage in combat – an discovery that led to an rare mea culpa from officials in Bogotá.

These South American veterans have widely regarded as among the world’s most sought-after mercenaries due to their extensive battlefield experience acquired during decades of civil war, knowledge of Nato equipment, and high-level combat training.

Activities in Sudan

In the Sudanese theater, the mercenaries have been accused of teaching child soldiers, taught fighters to pilot drones, and participated in direct battles. A mercenary was quoted as saying that instructing minors was "horrific and irrational" but commented that "sadly, that is the nature of conflict".

Targeted Persons

Among those targeted was a dual national, a dual Colombian-Italian national and ex-soldier located in the UAE. The Treasury accused him a key part in recruiting and deploying former Colombian soldiers to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Oliveros, was similarly targeted.

Also on the penalty list was Mateo Andrés Duque Botero, a dual Colombian-Spanish citizen who authorities say oversaw a company linked to processing money and salaries for the scheme. "Recently, American entities linked to Duque conducted numerous wire transfers, totalling millions of US dollars," the Treasury statement stated.

Citizen of Colombia Mónica Muñoz was the other individual to be penalized, with the entity she oversaw said to have conducted wire transfers connected to Duque and his businesses.

"Washington reiterates its demand for outside forces to stop giving funding and arms to the warring parties," the department stated.

Expert Analysis

Elizabeth Dickinson, with the International Crisis Group, called the actions as a "very significant" milestone, noting that "identifying the recruiters is the right way to go".

She added that, Bogotá recently passed a statute endorsing the anti-mercenary convention, seeking to reduce its citizens' long history in international fights and reshape its security approach.

Another expert, an expert on mercenaries, called for greater wariness, saying that "restrictions are needed but not enough for combating widespread use of contractors".

"It’s an illicit economy and centered in the Emirates, which is largely insulated from sanctions," he said. The United Arab Emirates has been widely accused of providing arms to the militia, allegations it disputes. "Expect more Colombian mercenaries," he advised.