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The US government has enforced penalties on a group of several persons and entities alleged of recruiting former Colombian soldiers to support and educate a militia force in Sudan that Washington accuses of genocidal acts.

Network Composition

Announcing the measures on Tuesday, the US Treasury Department stated the scheme was mostly comprised of Colombian nationals and companies.

Hundreds of ex-soldiers from Colombia have reportedly travelled to Sudan to fight alongside the Sudanese RSF militia, a force implicated in severe violations such as targeted ethnic killings and mass abductions.

Discovery of Participation

The involvement of Colombian fighters first came to light last year, following an inquiry which disclosed that more than 300 retired troops had been recruited to engage in combat – an discovery that resulted in an rare mea culpa from the Colombian government.

These South American veterans have widely regarded as some of the most in-demand contractors globally due to their vast combat experience resulting from a long-running domestic war, familiarity with advanced weaponry, and high-level combat training.

Role in the Conflict

In the Sudanese theater, the mercenaries have allegedly instructed underage fighters, provided drone warfare training, and participated in direct battles. An individual involved was quoted as saying that working with child soldiers was "horrific and irrational" but noted that "unfortunately that’s how war is".

Targeted Persons

Among those sanctioned was a dual national, a individual with dual citizenship and retired Colombian military officer based in the Dubai. The Treasury alleged he played a central role in recruiting and deploying mercenaries to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was penalized as well.

Also on the penalty list was Duque Botero, a individual with Colombian and Spanish citizenship who officials alleged ran a firm implicated in processing money and salaries for the recruitment operation. "Recently, US-based firms linked to Duque engaged in multiple financial transactions, worth millions," the government release said.

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

"The United States again calls on foreign parties to stop giving monetary and weaponry aid to the warring parties," the agency stated.

Analyst Commentary

An expert, with the International Crisis Group, labeled the actions as a "major" development, saying that "calling out those who are doing the contracting is the right way to go".

Furthermore, Colombia recently passed a law approving the global treaty against mercenarism, seeking to reduce its citizens' long history in international fights and reshape national security policy.

Sean McFate, a authority on private military contractors, called for greater wariness, noting that "restrictions are needed but not enough for addressing the growing mercenary trade".

"This is a shadow economy and operating from the Emirates, which is difficult to penalize," he commented. The UAE has been frequently alleged of arming the RSF, claims it rejects. "This trend will probably continue," the expert cautioned.