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The United States has levied restrictions on a group of four individuals and four companies accused of hiring South American contractors to combat alongside and instruct a militia force in Sudan that Washington accuses of genocidal acts.

Network Composition

Disclosing the restrictions on this week, the American treasury stated the operation was primarily made up of individuals and businesses from Colombia.

Numerous of retired Colombian troops have allegedly journeyed to Sudan to operate with the Sudanese RSF militia, a group accused of horrific war crimes such as ethnically targeted slaughter and large-scale abductions.

Revelation of Role

The participation of ex-soldiers was first uncovered last year, after an report which revealed that over three hundred retired troops had been contracted to participate in the war – an revelation that resulted in an unprecedented apology from officials in Bogotá.

Former Colombian military have widely regarded as some of the most in-demand contractors globally due to their considerable warzone knowledge resulting from a long-running domestic war, familiarity with Nato equipment, and elite military instruction.

Role in the Conflict

In the conflict, the Colombians have been accused of teaching child soldiers, taught fighters to pilot drones, and engaged in frontline combat. A mercenary previously stated that instructing minors was "terrible and insane" but noted that "sadly, that is the nature of conflict".

Sanctioned Individuals

Among those sanctioned was Álvaro Andrés Quijano Becerra, a dual Colombian-Italian national and ex-soldier located in the UAE. The US authorities accused him a pivotal function in enlisting and transporting ex-military personnel to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was penalized as well.

Also on the restricted list was Duque Botero, a dual Colombian-Spanish citizen who the Treasury stated oversaw a company accused of handling funds and payroll for the scheme. "Over the past two years, US-based firms linked to Duque carried out several money transfers, worth millions," the official announcement said.

Colombian national Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the fourth individual to be penalized, with the company she managed accused of wire transfers associated with Duque and his operations.

"Washington reiterates its demand for outside forces to halt the flow of funding and arms to the combatants," the Treasury announced.

Analyst Commentary

A senior analyst, from a conflict think tank, called the actions as a "highly important" milestone, saying that "calling out those who are doing the contracting is the correct approach".

It was also noted that, Bogotá ratified a piece of legislation approving the International Convention Against the Recruitment and Use of Mercenaries, aiming to curb decades of Colombian involvement in international fights and change its security approach.

Another expert, a authority on private military contractors, urged more caution, saying that "penalties are required yet incomplete for addressing the growing mercenary trade".

"It’s an illicit economy and based out of the UAE, which is relatively sanction-proof," he said. The Emirati government has been repeatedly implicated of providing arms to the militia, an accusation it has denied. "More contractors from Colombia are likely," he advised.