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The Washington has levied restrictions on a operation of several persons and entities charged of recruiting South American contractors to support and educate a militia force in Sudan that Washington accuses of acts of genocide.

Operation Structure

Announcing the sanctions on this week, the Treasury stated the operation was largely composed of Colombian nationals and companies.

Scores of ex-soldiers from Colombia have allegedly journeyed to the conflict in Sudan to combat beside the RSF paramilitary group, a faction accused of severe violations encompassing ethnically targeted slaughter and large-scale abductions.

Discovery of Participation

The role of these mercenaries was first uncovered last year, following an investigation which disclosed that over three hundred ex-military personnel had been recruited to engage in combat – an discovery that prompted an unprecedented apology from officials in Bogotá.

Colombian ex-soldiers have widely regarded as highly prized fighters in conflict zones due to their extensive battlefield experience resulting from years of internal conflict, familiarity with advanced weaponry, and superior tactical education.

Reported Actions

In Sudan, the Colombians have reportedly trained underage fighters, instructed militiamen in drone operation, and engaged in frontline combat. One source was quoted as saying that working with child soldiers was "horrific and irrational" but commented that "sadly, that is the nature of conflict".

Sanctioned Individuals

Among those penalized was a dual national, a individual with dual citizenship and former army officer located in the UAE. The US authorities accused him a central role in enlisting and transporting ex-military personnel to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was similarly targeted.

Also on the restricted list was Mateo Andrés Duque Botero, a individual with Colombian and Spanish citizenship who the Treasury stated oversaw a company accused of processing money and salaries for the network. "Over the past two years, American entities associated with Duque carried out numerous wire transfers, worth millions," the official announcement said.

Individual Mónica Muñoz was the fourth individual to be targeted, with the entity she oversaw alleged to have financial transactions linked to Duque and his operations.

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

Reaction

An expert, with the International Crisis Group, called the measures as a "very significant" milestone, noting that "targeting the enablers is the proper strategy".

She added that, the Colombian government ratified a statute endorsing the International Convention Against the Recruitment and Use of Mercenaries, designed to limit years of participation by its nationals in foreign conflicts and transform its security approach.

Another expert, a scholar on the subject, advised additional measures, stating that "restrictions are needed but not enough for combating the growing mercenary trade".

"It operates in the black market and operating from the Emirates, which is largely insulated from sanctions," he commented. The Emirati government has been frequently alleged of arming the RSF, claims it rejects. "Expect more Colombian mercenaries," McFate warned.