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The Washington has imposed sanctions on a group of several persons and entities accused of recruiting Colombian mercenaries to fight for and train a Sudanese paramilitary group which the US alleges of acts of genocide.

Operation Structure

Revealing the sanctions on Tuesday, the Treasury stated the scheme was primarily made up of Colombian nationals and companies.

Hundreds of former Colombian military personnel have reportedly travelled to the Sudanese warzone to combat beside the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a force linked to severe violations such as ethnically targeted slaughter and mass abductions.

Discovery of Participation

The participation of ex-soldiers was first uncovered last year, after an report which revealed that hundreds of retired troops had been contracted to engage in combat – an revelation that led to an unusual statement of regret from Colombia’s foreign ministry.

These South American veterans have long been considered as highly prized fighters in conflict zones due to their extensive battlefield experience acquired during decades of civil war, training on Western military gear, and elite military instruction.

Reported Actions

In Sudan, the Colombians have been accused of teaching underage fighters, provided drone warfare training, and engaged in frontline combat. A mercenary was quoted as saying that instructing minors was "awful and crazy" but commented that "sadly, that is the nature of conflict".

Named Entities

Among those targeted was a dual national, a dual Colombian-Italian national and ex-soldier based in the Dubai. The government alleged he played a central role in hiring and sending former Colombian soldiers to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Oliveros, was also sanctioned.

Also on the sanctions list was Duque Botero, a dual Colombian-Spanish citizen who authorities say ran a firm linked to managing finances and payments for the network. "Recently, American entities connected to Duque conducted numerous wire transfers, worth millions," the Treasury statement noted.

Colombian national Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the final person to be targeted, with the firm she operated alleged to have financial transactions linked to Duque and his companies.

"The US once more urges foreign parties to halt the flow of funding and arms to the warring parties," the department announced.

Expert Analysis

Elizabeth Dickinson, from a conflict think tank, labeled the actions as a "very significant" development, saying that "targeting the enablers is the right way to go".

It was also noted that, the Colombian government recently passed a law ratifying the anti-mercenary convention, aiming to curb decades of Colombian involvement in overseas wars and change national security policy.

Sean McFate, a authority on private military contractors, urged more caution, stating that "penalties are required yet incomplete for combating rampant mercenarism".

"It operates in the black market and centered in the Emirates, which is relatively sanction-proof," he stated. The Emirati government has been widely accused of providing arms to the militia, an accusation it has denied. "Expect more Colombian mercenaries," the expert cautioned.