🔗 Share this article US Imposes Sanctions on Group Accused of Funneling Colombian Fighters to the Sudanese Conflict. The Washington has enforced penalties on a group of four individuals and four companies accused of hiring Colombian mercenaries to support and educate a militia force in Sudan that Washington accuses of genocidal acts. Network Composition Disclosing the measures on Tuesday, the American treasury stated the scheme was largely composed of individuals and businesses from Colombia. Numerous of retired Colombian troops have allegedly journeyed to the Sudanese warzone to fight alongside the RSF paramilitary group, a faction implicated in terrible atrocities including targeted ethnic killings and widespread kidnappings. Emergence of Involvement The role of these mercenaries was first uncovered last year, prompted by an investigation which disclosed that more than 300 retired troops had been contracted to participate in the war – an discovery that resulted in an unusual statement of regret from officials in Bogotá. These South American veterans have long been considered as some of the most in-demand contractors globally due to their extensive battlefield experience resulting from decades of civil war, knowledge of Nato equipment, and superior tactical education. Role in the Conflict In Sudan, the Colombians have reportedly trained minors, taught fighters to pilot drones, and fought directly on the frontlines. A mercenary previously stated that working with child soldiers was "horrific and irrational" but commented that "unfortunately that’s how war is". Named Entities Among those sanctioned was Álvaro Andrés Quijano Becerra, a dual Colombian-Italian national and retired Colombian military officer operating from the United Arab Emirates. The US authorities said he had a pivotal function in enlisting and transporting former Colombian soldiers to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was similarly targeted. Also on the sanctions list was Duque Botero, a dual national who authorities say ran a firm accused of processing money and salaries for the network. "Over the past two years, companies in the United States linked to Duque conducted multiple financial transactions, amounting to millions," the official announcement stated. Citizen of Colombia Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the fourth individual to be penalized, with the firm she operated accused of financial transactions linked to Duque and his operations. "The US once more urges outside forces to cease providing financial and military support to the belligerents," the agency announced. Reaction An expert, with the International Crisis Group, labeled the sanctions as a "highly important" milestone, saying that "targeting the enablers is the correct approach". She added that, Bogotá recently passed a law ratifying the International Convention Against the Recruitment and Use of Mercenaries, seeking to reduce its citizens' long history in international fights and transform domestic defense strategy. Sean McFate, a scholar on the subject, urged more caution, saying that "restrictions are needed but not enough for addressing widespread use of contractors". "This is a shadow economy and centered in Dubai, which is relatively sanction-proof," he stated. The Emirati government has been repeatedly implicated of supplying weapons to the paramilitary group, allegations it disputes. "This trend will probably continue," he advised.