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The United States has enforced penalties on a group of several persons and entities charged of hiring former Colombian soldiers to support and educate a militia force in Sudan that Washington accuses of genocidal acts.

Operation Structure

Revealing the restrictions on this week, the American treasury stated the operation was primarily made up of Colombian citizens and firms.

Numerous of ex-soldiers from Colombia have reportedly travelled to the Sudanese warzone to operate with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a group linked to severe violations encompassing massacres based on ethnicity and widespread kidnappings.

Discovery of Participation

The role of these mercenaries was first uncovered in 2024, after an investigation which revealed that over three hundred former soldiers had been hired to participate in the war – an event that led to an unprecedented apology from the Colombian government.

These South American veterans have widely regarded as highly prized fighters in conflict zones due to their vast combat experience acquired during decades of civil war, training on advanced weaponry, and superior tactical education.

Activities in Sudan

In the Sudanese theater, the Colombians have reportedly trained underage fighters, taught fighters to pilot drones, and participated in direct battles. One source remarked that instructing minors was "terrible and insane" but commented that "sadly, that is the nature of conflict".

Targeted Persons

Among those targeted was Álvaro Andrés Quijano Becerra, a dual Colombian-Italian national and former army officer located in the Dubai. The Treasury accused him a key part in recruiting and deploying former Colombian soldiers to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was penalized as well.

Also on the sanctions list was Duque Botero, a dual national who officials alleged managed a business accused of managing finances and payments for the network. "Recently, companies in the United States connected to Duque conducted numerous wire transfers, amounting to millions," the official announcement noted.

Citizen of Colombia Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the final person to be targeted, with the entity she oversaw said to have conducted financial transactions linked to Duque and his operations.

"Washington reiterates its demand for external actors to halt the flow of monetary and weaponry aid to the belligerents," the department said in a statement.

Expert Analysis

Elizabeth Dickinson, from a conflict think tank, described the actions as a "highly important" development, stating that "calling out those who are doing the contracting is the proper strategy".

Furthermore, Colombia recently passed a piece of legislation ratifying the anti-mercenary convention, seeking to reduce decades of Colombian involvement in overseas wars and transform its security approach.

Sean McFate, a scholar on the subject, called for greater wariness, stating that "penalties are required yet incomplete for dealing with widespread use of contractors".

"It’s an illicit economy and based out of the UAE, which is largely insulated from sanctions," he commented. The Emirati government has been widely accused of arming the RSF, allegations it disputes. "More contractors from Colombia are likely," he advised.