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The United States has enforced penalties on a network of four individuals and four companies accused of enlisting Colombian mercenaries to support and educate a militia force in Sudan the United States claims of acts of genocide.

Group Makeup

Revealing the sanctions on Tuesday, the Treasury stated the operation was primarily made up of individuals and businesses from Colombia.

Numerous of retired Colombian troops have been recruited to go to Sudan to fight alongside the RSF paramilitary group, a force linked to severe violations including massacres based on ethnicity and widespread kidnappings.

Revelation of Role

The role of these mercenaries first came to light last year, prompted by an inquiry which disclosed that over three hundred ex-military personnel had been contracted to fight – an discovery that led to an rare mea culpa from the Colombian government.

Former Colombian military have historically been seen as among the world’s most sought-after mercenaries due to their vast combat experience acquired during decades of civil war, knowledge of advanced weaponry, and elite military instruction.

Activities in Sudan

In the conflict, the contractors have allegedly instructed underage fighters, instructed militiamen in drone operation, and engaged in frontline combat. One source was quoted as saying that training children was "horrific and irrational" but added that "regrettably, war operates that way".

Named Entities

Among those targeted was Álvaro Andrés Quijano Becerra, a dual Colombian-Italian national and ex-soldier based in the United Arab Emirates. The US authorities said he had a pivotal function in hiring and sending former Colombian soldiers to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Oliveros, was similarly targeted.

Also on the sanctions list was Duque Botero, a individual with Colombian and Spanish citizenship who authorities say ran a firm accused of processing money and salaries for the scheme. "Over the past two years, companies in the United States associated with Duque carried out numerous wire transfers, amounting to millions," the government release said.

Citizen of Colombia Mónica Muñoz was the final person to be targeted, with the entity she oversaw said to have conducted financial transactions linked to Duque and his businesses.

"The US once more urges external actors to cease providing funding and arms to the belligerents," the agency said in a statement.

Analyst Commentary

Elizabeth Dickinson, with the International Crisis Group, labeled the actions as a "highly important" milestone, noting that "targeting the enablers is the correct approach".

She added that, Bogotá ratified a law approving the International Convention Against the Recruitment and Use of Mercenaries, seeking to reduce years of participation by its nationals in foreign conflicts and transform national security policy.

A mercenary specialist, a scholar on the subject, advised additional measures, noting that "restrictions are needed but not enough for combating the growing mercenary trade".

"It’s an illicit economy and centered in Dubai, which is difficult to penalize," he commented. The UAE has been frequently alleged of providing arms to the militia, an accusation it has denied. "This trend will probably continue," the expert cautioned.