🔗 Share this article US Imposes Sanctions on Group Alleged of Channeling Colombian Mercenaries to the Sudanese Conflict. The Washington has levied restrictions on a operation of four individuals and four companies accused of recruiting former Colombian soldiers to support and educate a militia force in Sudan which the US alleges of genocidal acts. Group Makeup Revealing the restrictions on Tuesday, the US Treasury Department stated the operation was largely composed of Colombian citizens and firms. Scores of retired Colombian troops have reportedly travelled to Sudan to fight alongside the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a group linked to terrible atrocities encompassing massacres based on ethnicity and widespread kidnappings. Discovery of Participation The involvement of Colombian fighters was first uncovered last year, after an report which found that over three hundred former soldiers had been contracted to engage in combat – an discovery that resulted in an unusual statement of regret from the Colombian government. Colombian ex-soldiers have long been considered as highly prized fighters in conflict zones due to their vast combat experience resulting from years of internal conflict, training on advanced weaponry, and superior tactical education. Reported Actions In the Sudanese theater, the Colombians have been accused of teaching underage fighters, provided drone warfare training, and participated in direct battles. One source was quoted as saying that training children was "awful and crazy" but added that "regrettably, war operates that way". Named Entities Among those penalized was Álvaro Andrés Quijano Becerra, a citizen of both Colombia and Italy and former army officer operating from the Dubai. The Treasury accused him a key part in enlisting and transporting mercenaries to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was similarly targeted. Also on the penalty list was Mateo Andrés Duque Botero, a dual Colombian-Spanish citizen who officials alleged oversaw a company accused of managing finances and payments for the network. "Recently, American entities connected to Duque engaged in several money transfers, amounting to millions," the government release noted. Colombian national Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the fourth individual to be sanctioned, with the entity she oversaw accused of wire transfers linked to Duque and his companies. "The United States again calls on foreign parties to stop giving funding and arms to the warring parties," the department stated. Analyst Commentary An expert, senior analyst at the International Crisis Group, labeled the measures as a "highly important" development, noting that "targeting the enablers is the correct approach". Furthermore, Bogotá has enacted a law endorsing the anti-mercenary convention, aiming to curb decades of Colombian involvement in international fights and change national security policy. Another expert, a authority on private military contractors, urged more caution, stating that "sanctions are necessary but insufficient for combating rampant mercenarism". "This is a shadow economy and centered in the UAE, which is relatively sanction-proof," he commented. The Emirati government has been frequently alleged of arming the RSF, an accusation it has denied. "More contractors from Colombia are likely," McFate warned.