🔗 Share this article United States Enforces Restrictions on Network Accused of Recruiting Colombian Mercenaries to Sudan. The United States has imposed sanctions on a group of four individuals and four companies charged of hiring Colombian mercenaries to fight for and train a militia force in Sudan the United States claims of acts of genocide. Operation Structure Disclosing the sanctions on this week, the Treasury stated the network was largely composed of Colombian citizens and firms. Numerous of ex-soldiers from Colombia have been recruited to go to Sudan to operate with the Sudanese RSF militia, a group accused of severe violations such as targeted ethnic killings and widespread kidnappings. Emergence of Involvement The involvement of Colombian fighters was first uncovered the previous year, prompted by an inquiry which disclosed that more than 300 ex-military personnel had been hired to fight – an revelation that prompted an rare mea culpa from the Colombian government. These South American veterans have widely regarded as among the world’s most sought-after mercenaries due to their extensive battlefield experience resulting from a long-running domestic war, knowledge of Nato equipment, and elite military instruction. Reported Actions In the conflict, the mercenaries have reportedly trained minors, provided drone warfare training, and fought directly on the frontlines. One source previously stated that training children was "horrific and irrational" but noted that "sadly, that is the nature of conflict". Sanctioned Individuals Among those sanctioned was Álvaro Andrés Quijano Becerra, a individual with dual citizenship and retired Colombian military officer based 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 also sanctioned. Also on the sanctions list was Mateo Andrés Duque Botero, a individual with Colombian and Spanish citizenship who officials alleged ran a firm accused of processing money and salaries for the network. "Over the past two years, US-based firms connected to Duque carried out several money transfers, worth millions," the government release stated. Colombian national Mónica Muñoz was the other individual to be targeted, with the entity she oversaw alleged to have wire transfers associated with Duque and his companies. "The US once more urges external actors to cease providing monetary and weaponry aid to the combatants," the department announced. Analyst Commentary An expert, senior analyst at the International Crisis Group, described the actions as a "major" development, noting that "identifying the recruiters is the proper strategy". She added that, Colombia has enacted a piece of legislation approving the anti-mercenary convention, designed to limit its citizens' long history in international fights and change national security policy. Another expert, a scholar on the subject, advised additional measures, stating that "penalties are required yet incomplete for combating rampant mercenarism". "It’s an illicit economy and centered in the Emirates, which is relatively sanction-proof," he commented. The UAE has been widely accused of supplying weapons to the paramilitary group, allegations it disputes. "This trend will probably continue," the expert cautioned.