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The US government has levied restrictions on a operation of several persons and entities charged of enlisting South American contractors to combat alongside and instruct a Sudanese paramilitary group that Washington accuses of acts of genocide.

Operation Structure

Revealing the measures on Tuesday, the American treasury stated the operation was primarily made up of individuals and businesses from Colombia.

Scores of former Colombian military personnel have reportedly travelled to Sudan to operate with the RSF paramilitary group, a faction implicated in severe violations encompassing massacres based on ethnicity and large-scale abductions.

Emergence of Involvement

The involvement of Colombian fighters first came to light in 2024, after an investigation which found that hundreds of former soldiers had been recruited to fight – an revelation that resulted in an rare mea culpa from the Colombian government.

Former Colombian military have long been considered as highly prized fighters in conflict zones due to their vast combat experience gleaned from years of internal conflict, familiarity with advanced weaponry, and superior tactical education.

Role in the Conflict

In the conflict, the contractors have been accused of teaching child soldiers, instructed militiamen in drone operation, and fought directly on the frontlines. An individual involved was quoted as saying that instructing minors was "horrific and irrational" but noted that "sadly, that is the nature of conflict".

Sanctioned Individuals

Among those targeted was a dual national, a individual with dual citizenship and ex-soldier located in the Dubai. The Treasury accused him a pivotal function in hiring and sending former Colombian soldiers to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Oliveros, was penalized as well.

Also on the penalty list was Mateo Duque Botero, a dual Colombian-Spanish citizen who officials alleged managed a business 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 Treasury statement said.

Citizen of Colombia Mónica Muñoz was the other individual to be targeted, with the entity she oversaw alleged to have wire transfers linked to Duque and his companies.

"The US once more urges outside forces to cease providing monetary and weaponry aid to the belligerents," the department stated.

Expert Analysis

A senior analyst, senior analyst at the International Crisis Group, labeled the actions as a "highly important" development, noting that "identifying the recruiters is the right way to go".

Furthermore, Bogotá recently passed a law approving the anti-mercenary convention, aiming to curb its citizens' long history in foreign conflicts and change national security policy.

Another expert, an expert on mercenaries, called for greater wariness, noting that "sanctions are necessary but insufficient for dealing with the growing mercenary trade".

"This is a shadow economy and based out of the Emirates, which is relatively sanction-proof," he said. The United Arab Emirates has been frequently alleged of arming the RSF, claims it rejects. "Expect more Colombian mercenaries," McFate warned.