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The United States has imposed sanctions on a operation of four people and four firms alleged of hiring former Colombian soldiers to fight for and train a Sudanese paramilitary group the United States claims of committing genocide.

Operation Structure

Announcing the restrictions on this week, the American treasury stated the network was mostly comprised of individuals and businesses from Colombia.

Hundreds of former Colombian military personnel have allegedly journeyed to Sudan to combat beside the Sudanese RSF militia, a force implicated in terrible atrocities such as targeted ethnic killings and large-scale abductions.

Emergence of Involvement

The participation of ex-soldiers initially emerged the previous year, after an report which revealed that more than 300 ex-military personnel had been contracted to fight – an discovery that resulted in an unusual statement of regret from the Colombian government.

Former Colombian military have long been considered as highly prized fighters in conflict zones due to their considerable warzone knowledge acquired during years of internal conflict, knowledge of Nato equipment, and elite military instruction.

Role in the Conflict

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

Targeted Persons

Among those targeted was Álvaro Andrés Quijano Becerra, a dual Colombian-Italian national and former army officer based in the UAE. The Treasury accused him a central role in enlisting and transporting ex-military personnel to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was also sanctioned.

Also on the sanctions list was Mateo Andrés Duque Botero, a dual national who authorities say managed a business accused of managing finances and payments for the recruitment operation. "Recently, US-based firms connected to Duque conducted several money transfers, amounting to millions," the Treasury statement said.

Colombian national Mónica Muñoz was the other individual to be sanctioned, with the company she managed said to have conducted money transfers associated with Duque and his businesses.

"The US once more urges outside forces to cease providing funding and arms to the warring parties," the Treasury said in a statement.

Analyst Commentary

An expert, with the International Crisis Group, called the measures as a "major" milestone, noting that "targeting the enablers is the proper strategy".

Furthermore, Colombia has enacted a statute ratifying the anti-mercenary convention, designed to limit its citizens' long history in foreign conflicts and change its security approach.

A mercenary specialist, a authority on private military contractors, called for greater wariness, saying that "sanctions are necessary but insufficient for dealing with widespread use of contractors".

"It’s an illicit economy and operating from Dubai, which is largely insulated from sanctions," he stated. The United Arab Emirates has been repeatedly implicated of arming the RSF, claims it rejects. "More contractors from Colombia are likely," he advised.