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The United States has enforced penalties on a network of several persons and entities alleged of enlisting South American contractors to fight for and train a armed faction in Sudan which the US alleges of genocidal acts.

Group Makeup

Disclosing the restrictions on this week, the Treasury stated the operation was largely composed of Colombian nationals and companies.

Scores of former Colombian military personnel have reportedly travelled to Sudan to operate with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a group implicated in horrific war crimes encompassing massacres based on ethnicity and large-scale abductions.

Discovery of Participation

The role of these mercenaries first came to light last year, after an report which found that more than 300 former soldiers had been recruited to engage in combat – an event that led to an unprecedented apology from the Colombian government.

These South American veterans have widely regarded as among the world’s most sought-after mercenaries due to their vast combat experience acquired during a long-running domestic war, knowledge of advanced weaponry, and high-level combat training.

Reported Actions

In Sudan, the contractors have been accused of teaching child soldiers, taught fighters to pilot drones, and fought directly on the frontlines. An individual involved previously stated that training children was "terrible and insane" but commented that "sadly, that is the nature of conflict".

Named Entities

Among those targeted was a dual national, a citizen of both Colombia and Italy and former army officer based in the Dubai. The Treasury accused him a key part in enlisting and transporting mercenaries to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was penalized as well.

Also on the penalty list was Duque Botero, a dual national who officials alleged oversaw a company linked to handling funds and payroll for the recruitment operation. "Recently, US-based firms connected to Duque engaged in several money transfers, worth millions," the government release noted.

Colombian national Mónica Muñoz was the fourth individual to be sanctioned, with the company she managed alleged to have financial transactions associated with Duque and his operations.

"The United States again calls on foreign parties to stop giving monetary and weaponry aid to the combatants," the department stated.

Reaction

A senior analyst, with the International Crisis Group, labeled the measures as a "very significant" milestone, saying that "calling out those who are doing the contracting is the correct approach".

It was also noted that, the Colombian government ratified a law approving the anti-mercenary convention, seeking to reduce years of participation by its nationals in international fights and change domestic defense strategy.

Another expert, a authority on private military contractors, called for greater wariness, stating that "penalties are required yet incomplete for dealing with rampant mercenarism".

"It’s an illicit economy and operating from the Emirates, which is difficult to penalize," he stated. The Emirati government has been frequently alleged of supplying weapons to the paramilitary group, an accusation it has denied. "Expect more Colombian mercenaries," the expert cautioned.