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The US government has enforced penalties on a network of several persons and entities accused of recruiting former Colombian soldiers to fight for and train a armed faction in Sudan the United States claims of committing genocide.

Group Makeup

Announcing the sanctions on Tuesday, the Treasury stated the operation was mostly comprised of individuals and businesses from Colombia.

Scores of former Colombian military personnel have allegedly journeyed to the Sudanese warzone to operate with the Sudanese RSF militia, a faction linked to horrific war crimes encompassing ethnically targeted slaughter and large-scale abductions.

Emergence of Involvement

The participation of ex-soldiers initially emerged in 2024, following an inquiry which revealed that hundreds of retired troops had been recruited to participate in the war – an event that led to an unusual statement of regret from Colombia’s foreign ministry.

These South American veterans have historically been seen as among the world’s most sought-after mercenaries due to their extensive battlefield experience gleaned from years of internal conflict, familiarity with Nato equipment, and superior tactical education.

Role in the Conflict

In the conflict, the contractors have been accused of teaching underage fighters, taught fighters to pilot drones, and fought directly on the frontlines. A mercenary remarked that instructing minors was "awful and crazy" but noted that "unfortunately that’s how war is".

Sanctioned Individuals

Among those sanctioned was a dual national, a individual with dual citizenship and former army officer based in the UAE. The US authorities alleged he played a central role in recruiting and deploying former Colombian soldiers to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was similarly targeted.

Also on the sanctions 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 network. "Recently, companies in the United States connected to Duque engaged in several money transfers, worth millions," the official announcement said.

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

"The US once more urges external actors to halt the flow of monetary and weaponry aid to the warring parties," the Treasury said in a statement.

Analyst Commentary

Elizabeth Dickinson, senior analyst at the International Crisis Group, called the actions as a "major" milestone, stating that "targeting the enablers is the correct approach".

It was also noted that, the Colombian government has enacted a statute endorsing the anti-mercenary convention, seeking to reduce its citizens' long history in international fights and change domestic defense strategy.

A mercenary specialist, a scholar on the subject, called for greater wariness, noting that "penalties are required yet incomplete for dealing with rampant mercenarism".

"This is a shadow economy and centered in the UAE, which is largely insulated from sanctions," he said. The Emirati government has been frequently alleged of supplying weapons to the paramilitary group, claims it rejects. "This trend will probably continue," he advised.