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The United States has enforced penalties on a operation of four individuals and four companies alleged of recruiting Colombian mercenaries to support and educate a Sudanese paramilitary group that Washington accuses of acts of genocide.

Group Makeup

Announcing the restrictions on Tuesday, the US Treasury Department stated the network was primarily made up of Colombian nationals and companies.

Hundreds of retired Colombian troops have allegedly journeyed to Sudan to fight alongside the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a group accused of terrible atrocities such as targeted ethnic killings and widespread kidnappings.

Revelation of Role

The role of these mercenaries first came to light the previous year, after an inquiry which revealed that more than 300 retired troops had been contracted to fight – an revelation that led to an rare mea culpa from officials in Bogotá.

Former Colombian military have historically been seen as some of the most in-demand contractors globally due to their considerable warzone knowledge acquired during years of internal conflict, knowledge of advanced weaponry, and elite military instruction.

Reported Actions

In the conflict, the mercenaries have been accused of teaching minors, instructed militiamen in drone operation, and participated in direct battles. One source was quoted as saying that instructing minors was "awful and crazy" but noted that "sadly, that is the nature of conflict".

Targeted Persons

Among those penalized was a dual national, a dual Colombian-Italian national and ex-soldier located in the UAE. The government accused him a key part in hiring and sending ex-military personnel to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was penalized as well.

Also on the restricted list was Mateo Duque Botero, a individual with Colombian and Spanish citizenship who authorities say managed a business linked to managing finances and payments for the recruitment operation. "Recently, companies in the United States linked to Duque conducted several money transfers, amounting to millions," the official announcement stated.

Individual Mónica Muñoz was the final person to be targeted, with the company she managed said to have conducted financial transactions connected to Duque and his operations.

"The US once more urges outside forces to cease providing monetary and weaponry aid to the combatants," the agency announced.

Expert Analysis

A senior analyst, from a conflict think tank, described the measures as a "highly important" development, saying that "calling out those who are doing the contracting is the proper strategy".

Furthermore, Colombia has enacted a law ratifying the anti-mercenary convention, designed to limit its citizens' long history in foreign conflicts and reshape its security approach.

A mercenary specialist, a scholar on the subject, urged more caution, saying that "restrictions are needed but not enough for combating rampant mercenarism".

"It operates in the black market and based out of Dubai, which is largely insulated from sanctions," he stated. The United Arab Emirates has been repeatedly implicated of arming the RSF, an accusation it has denied. "More contractors from Colombia are likely," he advised.