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The Washington has enforced penalties on a operation of four individuals and four companies alleged of enlisting Colombian mercenaries to combat alongside and instruct a militia force in Sudan the United States claims of committing genocide.

Network Composition

Disclosing the sanctions on Tuesday, the US Treasury Department stated the operation was primarily made up of Colombian nationals and companies.

Numerous of ex-soldiers from Colombia have been recruited to go to the Sudanese warzone to fight alongside the RSF paramilitary group, a faction linked to horrific war crimes such as massacres based on ethnicity and mass abductions.

Revelation of Role

The role of these mercenaries initially emerged in 2024, prompted by an report which revealed that more than 300 ex-military personnel had been contracted to engage in combat – an discovery that prompted an unusual statement of regret from officials in Bogotá.

Colombian ex-soldiers have long been considered as some of the most in-demand contractors globally due to their considerable warzone knowledge gleaned from years of internal conflict, training on advanced weaponry, and high-level combat training.

Role in the Conflict

In the conflict, the Colombians have allegedly instructed underage fighters, instructed militiamen in drone operation, and fought directly on the frontlines. A mercenary remarked that working with child soldiers was "awful and crazy" but noted that "regrettably, war operates that way".

Targeted Persons

Among those targeted was a dual national, a dual Colombian-Italian national and ex-soldier located in the United Arab Emirates. The government alleged he played a central role in enlisting and transporting ex-military personnel to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Oliveros, was penalized as well.

Also on the penalty list was Mateo Andrés Duque Botero, a dual Colombian-Spanish citizen who authorities say ran a firm accused of handling funds and payroll for the recruitment operation. "Recently, US-based firms connected to Duque conducted numerous wire transfers, amounting to millions," the government release noted.

Individual Mónica Muñoz was the final person to be sanctioned, with the firm she operated accused of money transfers connected to Duque and his businesses.

"The US once more urges foreign parties to halt the flow of financial and military support to the warring parties," the department said in a statement.

Expert Analysis

An expert, senior analyst at the International Crisis Group, called the sanctions as a "very significant" milestone, stating that "identifying the recruiters is the correct approach".

It was also noted that, the Colombian government has enacted a law ratifying the global treaty against mercenarism, seeking to reduce decades of Colombian involvement in overseas wars and reshape national security policy.

A mercenary specialist, an expert on mercenaries, called for greater wariness, stating that "restrictions are needed but not enough for dealing with the growing mercenary trade".

"This is a shadow economy and centered in the Emirates, which is difficult to penalize," he said. The United Arab Emirates has been frequently alleged of supplying weapons to the paramilitary group, allegations it disputes. "Expect more Colombian mercenaries," he advised.