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The US government has enforced penalties on a group of four individuals and four companies charged of recruiting South American contractors to support and educate a Sudanese paramilitary group that Washington accuses of genocidal acts.

Operation Structure

Disclosing the restrictions on Tuesday, the American treasury stated the scheme was primarily made up of Colombian citizens and firms.

Hundreds of ex-soldiers from Colombia have allegedly journeyed to the conflict in Sudan to fight alongside the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a group linked to terrible atrocities such as ethnically targeted slaughter and large-scale abductions.

Revelation of Role

The participation of ex-soldiers first came to light in 2024, prompted by an inquiry which revealed that over three hundred retired troops had been recruited to engage in combat – an event that prompted an unprecedented apology from the Colombian government.

Former Colombian military have historically been seen as among the world’s most sought-after mercenaries due to their extensive battlefield experience resulting from years of internal conflict, familiarity with Western military gear, and elite military instruction.

Reported Actions

In the conflict, 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 noted that "unfortunately that’s how war is".

Named Entities

Among those sanctioned was a retired Colombian officer, a individual with dual citizenship and ex-soldier based in the UAE. The Treasury alleged he played a pivotal function in recruiting and deploying former Colombian soldiers to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Oliveros, was similarly targeted.

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

Individual Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the other individual to be penalized, with the firm she operated alleged to have money transfers associated with Duque and his businesses.

"The US once more urges outside forces to cease providing financial and military support to the combatants," the Treasury announced.

Reaction

A senior analyst, senior analyst at the International Crisis Group, called the sanctions as a "highly important" development, stating that "calling out those who are doing the contracting is the right way to go".

It was also noted that, Bogotá ratified a law endorsing the International Convention Against the Recruitment and Use of Mercenaries, aiming to curb decades of Colombian involvement in international fights and reshape national security policy.

Sean McFate, a authority on private military contractors, urged more caution, stating that "penalties are required yet incomplete for combating the growing mercenary trade".

"This is a shadow economy and centered in the UAE, which is difficult to penalize," he commented. The Emirati government has been frequently alleged of providing arms to the militia, claims it rejects. "More contractors from Colombia are likely," the expert cautioned.