🔗 Share this article Washington Levies Sanctions on Group Alleged of Funneling Colombian Fighters to the Sudanese Conflict. The Washington has imposed sanctions on a network of four individuals and four companies charged of enlisting Colombian mercenaries to fight for and train a militia force in Sudan that Washington accuses of genocidal acts. Operation Structure Disclosing the restrictions on this week, the Treasury stated the operation was mostly comprised of individuals and businesses from Colombia. Hundreds of former Colombian military personnel have allegedly journeyed to Sudan to fight alongside the RSF paramilitary group, a group accused of horrific war crimes including targeted ethnic killings and large-scale abductions. Emergence of Involvement The involvement of Colombian fighters initially emerged last year, following an inquiry which disclosed that over three hundred former soldiers had been recruited to fight – an revelation that prompted an unprecedented apology from officials in Bogotá. Colombian ex-soldiers have historically been seen as among the world’s most sought-after mercenaries due to their considerable warzone knowledge acquired during a long-running domestic war, training on Nato equipment, and elite military instruction. Activities in Sudan In the conflict, the contractors have been accused of teaching child soldiers, taught fighters to pilot drones, and fought directly on the frontlines. One source previously stated that working with child soldiers was "awful and crazy" but noted that "regrettably, war operates that way". Named Entities Among those penalized was a dual national, a dual Colombian-Italian national and former army officer located in the Dubai. The government alleged he played a pivotal function in hiring and sending mercenaries to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Oliveros, was penalized as well. Also on the sanctions list was Mateo Duque Botero, a dual national who officials alleged ran a firm accused of handling funds and payroll for the network. "Recently, US-based firms associated with Duque conducted numerous wire transfers, worth millions," the official announcement stated. Individual Mónica Muñoz was the fourth individual to be sanctioned, with the company she managed alleged to have wire transfers connected to Duque and his operations. "The US once more urges foreign parties to stop giving funding and arms to the combatants," the agency said in a statement. Expert Analysis Elizabeth Dickinson, senior analyst at the International Crisis Group, described the actions as a "highly important" milestone, saying that "targeting the enablers is the proper strategy". She added that, the Colombian government ratified a piece of legislation approving the global treaty against mercenarism, designed to limit decades of Colombian involvement in overseas wars and transform its security approach. Another expert, a scholar on the subject, advised additional measures, saying that "restrictions are needed but not enough for combating widespread use of contractors". "This is a shadow economy and centered in the UAE, which is largely insulated from sanctions," he stated. The Emirati government has been frequently alleged of arming the RSF, an accusation it has denied. "Expect more Colombian mercenaries," the expert cautioned.