đ Share this article Washington Levies Sanctions on Operation Accused of Recruiting South American Fighters to Sudan. The United States has levied restrictions on a network of four individuals and four companies alleged of hiring Colombian mercenaries to fight for and train a militia force in Sudan that Washington accuses of acts of genocide. Network Composition Announcing the restrictions on Tuesday, the Treasury stated the operation was primarily made up of individuals and businesses from Colombia. Scores of ex-soldiers from Colombia have allegedly journeyed to Sudan to combat beside the Sudanese RSF militia, a force implicated in terrible atrocities such as ethnically targeted slaughter and large-scale abductions. Revelation of Role The participation of ex-soldiers was first uncovered in 2024, following an investigation which disclosed that more than 300 ex-military personnel had been contracted to engage in combat â an discovery that prompted an unprecedented apology from the Colombian government. Colombian ex-soldiers have historically been seen as highly prized fighters in conflict zones due to their vast combat experience gleaned from years of internal conflict, training on Western military gear, and high-level combat training. Role in the Conflict In Sudan, the mercenaries have reportedly trained child soldiers, provided drone warfare training, and engaged in frontline combat. One source remarked that instructing minors was "awful and crazy" but commented that "unfortunately thatâs how war is". Sanctioned Individuals Among those sanctioned was Ălvaro AndrĂ©s Quijano Becerra, a citizen of both Colombia and Italy and former army officer operating from the UAE. The government accused him a central role in hiring and sending former Colombian soldiers to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Oliveros, was also sanctioned. Also on the restricted list was Mateo AndrĂ©s Duque Botero, a dual Colombian-Spanish citizen who authorities say oversaw a company implicated in handling funds and payroll for the recruitment operation. "Over the past two years, companies in the United States associated with Duque carried out numerous wire transfers, worth millions," the government release said. Individual MĂłnica Muñoz was the final person to be penalized, with the company she managed alleged to have money transfers associated with Duque and his companies. "Washington reiterates its demand for outside forces to cease providing monetary and weaponry aid to the combatants," the agency announced. Analyst Commentary Elizabeth Dickinson, senior analyst at the International Crisis Group, described the actions as a "highly important" milestone, stating that "calling out those who are doing the contracting is the proper strategy". She added that, Colombia has enacted a statute endorsing the global treaty against mercenarism, designed to limit years of participation by its nationals in foreign conflicts and change its security approach. Another expert, an expert on mercenaries, urged more caution, stating that "penalties are required yet incomplete for dealing with the growing mercenary trade". "This is a shadow economy and based out of the UAE, which is relatively sanction-proof," he stated. The Emirati government has been frequently alleged of providing arms to the militia, allegations it disputes. "Expect more Colombian mercenaries," McFate warned.