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The Washington has enforced penalties on a group of several persons and entities alleged of enlisting South American contractors to support and educate a armed faction in Sudan that Washington accuses of committing genocide.

Operation Structure

Disclosing the restrictions on this week, the Treasury stated the operation was largely composed of individuals and businesses from Colombia.

Numerous of retired Colombian troops have reportedly travelled to the Sudanese warzone to operate with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a faction linked to horrific war crimes encompassing targeted ethnic killings and widespread kidnappings.

Emergence of Involvement

The involvement of Colombian fighters first came to light in 2024, following an investigation which found that over three hundred former soldiers had been recruited to participate in the war – an event that resulted in an unprecedented apology from officials in Bogotá.

These South American veterans have widely regarded as among the world’s most sought-after mercenaries due to their considerable warzone knowledge resulting from decades of civil war, knowledge of Western military gear, and elite military instruction.

Reported Actions

In Sudan, the Colombians have allegedly instructed child soldiers, taught fighters to pilot drones, and fought directly on the frontlines. An individual involved was quoted as saying that working with child soldiers was "awful and crazy" but added that "sadly, that is the nature of conflict".

Named Entities

Among those sanctioned was a retired Colombian officer, a dual Colombian-Italian national and former army officer based in the Dubai. The US authorities said he had a key part in recruiting and deploying ex-military personnel to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was also sanctioned.

Also on the sanctions list was Mateo Duque Botero, a individual with Colombian and Spanish citizenship who officials alleged oversaw a company implicated in handling funds and payroll for the scheme. "Recently, American entities associated with Duque carried out several money transfers, amounting to millions," the Treasury statement said.

Colombian national Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the other individual to be penalized, with the firm she operated alleged to have wire transfers linked to Duque and his companies.

"The US once more urges outside forces to stop giving monetary and weaponry aid to the combatants," the Treasury announced.

Analyst Commentary

Elizabeth Dickinson, with the International Crisis Group, described the measures as a "major" development, noting that "identifying the recruiters is the proper strategy".

It was also noted that, Colombia has enacted a statute ratifying the International Convention Against the Recruitment and Use of Mercenaries, seeking to reduce decades of Colombian involvement in overseas wars and transform its security approach.

A mercenary specialist, a authority on private military contractors, urged more caution, stating that "restrictions are needed but not enough for dealing with widespread use of contractors".

"It’s an illicit economy and centered in the UAE, which is difficult to penalize," he said. The United Arab Emirates has been repeatedly implicated of arming the RSF, claims it rejects. "Expect more Colombian mercenaries," McFate warned.