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The US government has levied restrictions on a network of several persons and entities charged of recruiting former Colombian soldiers to combat alongside and instruct a militia force in Sudan the United States claims of committing genocide.

Group Makeup

Revealing the measures on this week, the American treasury stated the network was primarily made up of Colombian nationals and companies.

Scores of ex-soldiers from Colombia have been recruited to go to the conflict in Sudan to fight alongside the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a faction linked to severe violations encompassing massacres based on ethnicity and mass abductions.

Discovery of Participation

The participation of ex-soldiers first came to light the previous year, prompted by an inquiry which disclosed that more than 300 former soldiers had been contracted to participate in the war – an event that led to an unprecedented apology from officials in Bogotá.

These South American veterans have long been considered as some of the most in-demand contractors globally due to their extensive battlefield experience gleaned from years of internal conflict, familiarity with advanced weaponry, and superior tactical education.

Reported Actions

In the Sudanese theater, the mercenaries have allegedly instructed underage fighters, instructed militiamen in drone operation, and participated in direct battles. One source previously stated that working with child soldiers was "terrible and insane" but commented that "sadly, that is the nature of conflict".

Targeted Persons

Among those penalized was Álvaro Andrés Quijano Becerra, a dual Colombian-Italian national and former army officer located in the UAE. The Treasury said he had a pivotal function in enlisting and transporting ex-military personnel to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Oliveros, was also sanctioned.

Also on the restricted list was Mateo Andrés Duque Botero, a dual Colombian-Spanish citizen who authorities say oversaw a company linked to handling funds and payroll for the scheme. "Recently, American entities linked to Duque carried out several money transfers, totalling millions of US dollars," the government release stated.

Citizen of Colombia Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the other individual to be sanctioned, with the firm she operated said to have conducted financial transactions connected to Duque and his businesses.

"The US once more urges outside forces to halt the flow of financial and military support to the belligerents," the Treasury said in a statement.

Analyst Commentary

An expert, senior analyst at the International Crisis Group, described the sanctions as a "very significant" step, stating that "identifying the recruiters is the proper strategy".

Furthermore, Colombia has enacted a statute approving the anti-mercenary convention, seeking to reduce years of participation by its nationals in international fights and change domestic defense strategy.

A mercenary specialist, an expert on mercenaries, advised additional measures, stating that "restrictions are needed but not enough for dealing with rampant mercenarism".

"This is a shadow economy and operating from Dubai, which is largely insulated from sanctions," he said. The United Arab Emirates has been widely accused of providing arms to the militia, claims it rejects. "Expect more Colombian mercenaries," he advised.