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The Washington has imposed sanctions on a group of four individuals and four companies alleged of hiring Colombian mercenaries to support and educate a armed faction in Sudan which the US alleges of acts of genocide.

Operation Structure

Revealing the measures on Tuesday, the American treasury stated the network was primarily made up of individuals and businesses from Colombia.

Scores of retired Colombian troops have been recruited to go to Sudan to combat beside the RSF paramilitary group, a faction accused of severe violations encompassing targeted ethnic killings and mass abductions.

Emergence of Involvement

The role of these mercenaries first came to light the previous year, following an report which disclosed that hundreds of ex-military personnel had been recruited to participate in the war – an event that led to an rare mea culpa from Colombia’s foreign ministry.

Former Colombian military have long been considered as highly prized fighters in conflict zones due to their considerable warzone knowledge acquired during years of internal conflict, familiarity with advanced weaponry, and high-level combat training.

Reported Actions

In the conflict, the contractors have been accused of teaching underage fighters, provided drone warfare training, and participated in direct battles. One source remarked that instructing minors was "horrific and irrational" but commented that "sadly, that is the nature of conflict".

Targeted Persons

Among those sanctioned was Álvaro Andrés Quijano Becerra, a individual with dual citizenship and ex-soldier based in the United Arab Emirates. The US authorities said he had a pivotal function in recruiting and deploying former Colombian soldiers to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Oliveros, was similarly targeted.

Also on the penalty list was Duque Botero, a dual national who the Treasury stated managed a business linked to processing money and salaries for the network. "Recently, companies in the United States linked to Duque engaged in several money transfers, amounting to millions," the Treasury statement stated.

Citizen of Colombia Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the final person to be sanctioned, with the firm she operated accused of financial transactions connected to Duque and his companies.

"The US once more urges foreign parties to halt the flow of funding and arms to the warring parties," the agency said in a statement.

Expert Analysis

A senior analyst, with the International Crisis Group, labeled the measures as a "very significant" development, stating that "identifying the recruiters is the proper strategy".

Furthermore, the Colombian government ratified a piece of legislation approving the anti-mercenary convention, aiming to curb years of participation by its nationals in international fights and change its security approach.

A mercenary specialist, a authority on private military contractors, urged more caution, noting that "sanctions are necessary but insufficient for combating the growing mercenary trade".

"This is a shadow economy and operating from Dubai, which is relatively sanction-proof," he stated. The Emirati government has been widely accused of supplying weapons to the paramilitary group, an accusation it has denied. "More contractors from Colombia are likely," he advised.