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The Washington has enforced penalties on a network of four individuals and four companies accused of enlisting Colombian mercenaries to fight for and train a armed faction in Sudan that Washington accuses of genocidal acts.

Network Composition

Revealing the sanctions on this week, the US Treasury Department stated the network was largely composed of Colombian nationals and companies.

Hundreds of ex-soldiers from Colombia have allegedly journeyed to the conflict in Sudan to operate with the Sudanese RSF militia, a force accused of horrific war crimes such as ethnically targeted slaughter and mass abductions.

Discovery of Participation

The involvement of Colombian fighters was first uncovered the previous year, prompted by an report which revealed that more than 300 ex-military personnel had been hired to engage in combat – an discovery 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 vast combat experience resulting from a long-running domestic war, knowledge of Nato equipment, and high-level combat training.

Role in the Conflict

In the Sudanese theater, the mercenaries have allegedly instructed child soldiers, provided drone warfare training, and engaged in frontline combat. One source previously stated that instructing minors was "horrific and irrational" but noted that "regrettably, war operates that way".

Targeted Persons

Among those targeted was a dual national, a dual Colombian-Italian national and former army officer based in the UAE. The Treasury accused him a key part in recruiting and deploying mercenaries to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was similarly targeted.

Also on the penalty list was Mateo Duque Botero, a dual national who authorities say managed a business accused of handling funds and payroll for the network. "Recently, American entities associated with Duque conducted several money transfers, amounting to millions," the government release noted.

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

"The US once more urges outside forces to stop giving financial and military support to the belligerents," the Treasury stated.

Analyst Commentary

An expert, from a conflict think tank, described the sanctions as a "very significant" milestone, stating that "targeting the enablers is the correct approach".

It was also noted that, Colombia has enacted a law ratifying the International Convention Against the Recruitment and Use of Mercenaries, aiming to curb years of participation by its nationals in foreign conflicts and change national security policy.

Sean McFate, a authority on private military contractors, advised additional measures, noting that "penalties are required yet incomplete for addressing rampant mercenarism".

"This is a shadow economy and based out of Dubai, which is relatively sanction-proof," he said. The UAE has been frequently alleged of arming the RSF, an accusation it has denied. "Expect more Colombian mercenaries," the expert cautioned.