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The US government has levied restrictions on a network of four people and four firms alleged of enlisting Colombian mercenaries to combat alongside and instruct a Sudanese paramilitary group the United States claims of genocidal acts.

Operation Structure

Announcing the measures on this week, the American treasury stated the operation was mostly comprised of Colombian citizens and firms.

Hundreds of retired Colombian troops have reportedly travelled to the conflict in Sudan to operate with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a force accused of terrible atrocities including targeted ethnic killings and widespread kidnappings.

Discovery of Participation

The participation of ex-soldiers first came to light last year, following an inquiry which disclosed that more than 300 ex-military personnel had been recruited to engage in combat – an discovery that resulted in an rare mea culpa from officials in Bogotá.

Colombian ex-soldiers have historically been seen as among the world’s most sought-after mercenaries due to their vast combat experience acquired during years of internal conflict, knowledge of advanced weaponry, and high-level combat training.

Activities in Sudan

In Sudan, the mercenaries have allegedly instructed underage fighters, taught fighters to pilot drones, and participated in direct battles. An individual involved was quoted as saying that training children was "awful and crazy" but added that "unfortunately that’s how war is".

Sanctioned Individuals

Among those targeted was a dual national, a citizen of both Colombia and Italy and former army officer based in the Dubai. The government alleged he played a key part in enlisting and transporting former Colombian soldiers to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Oliveros, was penalized as well.

Also on the restricted list was Mateo Duque Botero, a dual Colombian-Spanish citizen who the Treasury stated oversaw a company accused of managing finances and payments for the scheme. "Over the past two years, US-based firms connected to Duque carried out numerous wire transfers, totalling millions of US dollars," the Treasury statement noted.

Citizen of Colombia Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the final person to be targeted, with the company she managed alleged to have money transfers associated with Duque and his operations.

"The US once more urges foreign parties to cease providing financial and military support to the combatants," the agency stated.

Expert Analysis

An expert, from a conflict think tank, described the measures as a "very significant" development, stating that "identifying the recruiters is the proper strategy".

She added that, the Colombian government has enacted a statute endorsing the anti-mercenary convention, aiming to curb its citizens' long history in international fights and reshape its security approach.

Sean McFate, a scholar on the subject, urged more caution, saying that "penalties are required yet incomplete for addressing rampant mercenarism".

"It’s an illicit economy and operating from Dubai, which is relatively sanction-proof," he said. The UAE has been widely accused of supplying weapons to the paramilitary group, an accusation it has denied. "This trend will probably continue," McFate warned.