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The US government has levied restrictions on a operation of several persons and entities accused of hiring Colombian mercenaries to combat alongside and instruct a Sudanese paramilitary group which the US alleges of committing genocide.

Operation Structure

Disclosing the restrictions on Tuesday, the American treasury stated the network was largely composed of individuals and businesses from Colombia.

Numerous of retired Colombian troops have allegedly journeyed to Sudan to combat beside the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a faction implicated in terrible atrocities such as massacres based on ethnicity and large-scale abductions.

Discovery of Participation

The role of these mercenaries was first uncovered last year, following an inquiry which revealed that over three hundred retired troops had been hired to engage in combat – an event that led to an unusual statement of regret from officials in Bogotá.

These South American veterans have long been considered as among the world’s most sought-after mercenaries due to their considerable warzone knowledge resulting from decades of civil war, training on Nato equipment, and superior tactical education.

Reported Actions

In Sudan, the contractors have allegedly instructed underage fighters, taught fighters to pilot drones, and participated in direct battles. One source remarked that training children was "horrific and irrational" but commented that "unfortunately that’s how war is".

Named Entities

Among those targeted was a dual national, a dual Colombian-Italian national and ex-soldier located in the Dubai. The US authorities said he had a central role in recruiting and deploying ex-military personnel to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Oliveros, was similarly targeted.

Also on the sanctions list was Duque Botero, a individual with Colombian and Spanish citizenship who authorities say oversaw a company accused of handling funds and payroll for the scheme. "Over the past two years, companies in the United States associated with Duque carried out multiple financial transactions, amounting to millions," the government release stated.

Citizen of Colombia Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the other individual to be penalized, with the firm she operated alleged to have financial transactions linked to Duque and his companies.

"The US once more urges foreign parties to stop giving funding and arms to the belligerents," the agency stated.

Expert Analysis

A senior analyst, from a conflict think tank, called the measures as a "highly important" step, stating that "targeting the enablers is the right way to go".

Furthermore, Bogotá ratified a law endorsing the global treaty against mercenarism, designed to limit decades of Colombian involvement in international fights and reshape its security approach.

A mercenary specialist, an expert on mercenaries, urged more caution, noting that "penalties are required yet incomplete for dealing with the growing mercenary trade".

"It operates in the black market and operating from the UAE, which is largely insulated from sanctions," he said. The Emirati government has been widely accused of providing arms to the militia, an accusation it has denied. "More contractors from Colombia are likely," the expert cautioned.