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The Washington has levied restrictions on a group of several persons and entities charged of enlisting Colombian mercenaries to support and educate a Sudanese paramilitary group the United States claims of committing genocide.

Network Composition

Disclosing the measures on Tuesday, the American treasury stated the operation was primarily made up of Colombian nationals and companies.

Numerous of ex-soldiers from Colombia have reportedly travelled to Sudan to fight alongside the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a faction implicated in horrific war crimes encompassing targeted ethnic killings and widespread kidnappings.

Revelation of Role

The participation of ex-soldiers first came to light last year, prompted by an inquiry which disclosed that over three hundred retired troops had been contracted to participate in the war – an discovery that prompted an unprecedented apology from the Colombian government.

Colombian ex-soldiers have long been considered as some of the most in-demand contractors globally due to their vast combat experience acquired during a long-running domestic war, training on advanced weaponry, and superior tactical education.

Activities in Sudan

In the Sudanese theater, the Colombians have been accused of teaching underage fighters, instructed militiamen in drone operation, and fought directly on the frontlines. An individual involved previously stated that working with child soldiers was "terrible and insane" but noted that "regrettably, war operates that way".

Named Entities

Among those targeted was Álvaro Andrés Quijano Becerra, a individual with dual citizenship and ex-soldier operating from the Dubai. The government accused him a central role in hiring and sending former Colombian soldiers to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was penalized as well.

Also on the sanctions list was Mateo Andrés Duque Botero, a dual national who the Treasury stated ran a firm linked to managing finances and payments for the recruitment operation. "In 2024 and 2025, American entities associated with Duque conducted numerous wire transfers, totalling millions of US dollars," the government release said.

Individual Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the final person to be penalized, with the company she managed alleged to have money transfers linked to Duque and his operations.

"The United States again calls on outside forces to cease providing funding and arms to the warring parties," the department stated.

Analyst Commentary

Elizabeth Dickinson, senior analyst at the International Crisis Group, called the actions as a "very significant" milestone, saying that "identifying the recruiters is the correct approach".

She added that, Bogotá has enacted a piece of legislation ratifying the International Convention Against the Recruitment and Use of Mercenaries, seeking to reduce decades of Colombian involvement in foreign conflicts and change national security policy.

Another expert, a scholar on the subject, advised additional measures, noting that "sanctions are necessary but insufficient for dealing with widespread use of contractors".

"It operates in the black market and operating from Dubai, which is relatively sanction-proof," he commented. The United Arab Emirates has been frequently alleged of providing arms to the militia, allegations it disputes. "This trend will probably continue," he advised.