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The Washington has levied restrictions on a group of several persons and entities accused of hiring South American contractors to fight for and train a Sudanese paramilitary group the United States claims of genocidal acts.

Network Composition

Revealing the sanctions on Tuesday, the American treasury stated the scheme was primarily made up of Colombian nationals and companies.

Scores of retired Colombian troops have allegedly journeyed to the Sudanese warzone to fight alongside the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a group linked to severe violations encompassing massacres based on ethnicity and large-scale abductions.

Revelation of Role

The role of these mercenaries was first uncovered in 2024, after an report which disclosed that more than 300 former soldiers had been recruited to fight – an event that prompted an unusual statement of regret from officials in Bogotá.

These South American veterans have widely regarded as some of the most in-demand contractors globally due to their considerable warzone knowledge gleaned from years of internal conflict, knowledge of Nato equipment, and high-level combat training.

Activities in Sudan

In the conflict, the Colombians have allegedly instructed minors, provided drone warfare training, and participated in direct battles. An individual involved remarked that working with child soldiers was "horrific and irrational" but commented that "sadly, that is the nature of conflict".

Named Entities

Among those sanctioned was Álvaro Andrés Quijano Becerra, a citizen of both Colombia and Italy and former army officer located in the United Arab Emirates. The US authorities alleged he played a central role in hiring and sending former Colombian soldiers to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Oliveros, was penalized as well.

Also on the penalty list was Duque Botero, a dual national who officials alleged managed a business implicated in managing finances and payments for the scheme. "Recently, US-based firms connected to Duque conducted numerous wire transfers, totalling millions of US dollars," the Treasury statement noted.

Individual Mónica Muñoz was the final person to be sanctioned, with the entity she oversaw said to have conducted wire transfers linked to Duque and his businesses.

"The US once more urges foreign parties to cease providing funding and arms to the belligerents," the department said in a statement.

Analyst Commentary

An expert, senior analyst at the International Crisis Group, called the actions as a "major" milestone, noting that "calling out those who are doing the contracting is the correct approach".

Furthermore, Colombia ratified a law ratifying the anti-mercenary convention, designed to limit years of participation by its nationals in overseas wars and transform its security approach.

Another expert, a authority on private military contractors, advised additional measures, noting that "sanctions are necessary but insufficient for dealing with widespread use of contractors".

"It operates in the black market and operating from Dubai, which is largely insulated from sanctions," he stated. The Emirati government has been widely accused of supplying weapons to the paramilitary group, allegations it disputes. "Expect more Colombian mercenaries," the expert cautioned.