π Share this article Washington Levies Restrictions on Group Accused of Funneling Colombian Contractors to Sudan. The United States has enforced penalties on a group of four people and four firms accused of enlisting South American contractors to fight for and train a armed faction in Sudan that Washington accuses of acts of genocide. Operation Structure Disclosing the measures on this week, the Treasury stated the network was mostly comprised of Colombian nationals and companies. Scores of former Colombian military personnel have allegedly journeyed to the Sudanese warzone to fight alongside the Sudanese RSF militia, a force linked to terrible atrocities encompassing targeted ethnic killings and widespread kidnappings. Revelation of Role The involvement of Colombian fighters initially emerged the previous year, after an investigation which revealed that hundreds of retired troops had been recruited to participate in the war β an discovery that led to an unusual statement of regret from the Colombian government. Colombian ex-soldiers have historically been seen as some of the most in-demand contractors globally due to their vast combat experience resulting from decades of civil war, training on Nato equipment, and elite military instruction. Role in the Conflict In Sudan, the Colombians have been accused of teaching child soldiers, instructed militiamen in drone operation, and fought directly on the frontlines. A mercenary remarked that instructing minors was "horrific and irrational" but noted that "regrettably, war operates that way". Named Entities Among those targeted was Γlvaro AndrΓ©s Quijano Becerra, a citizen of both Colombia and Italy and ex-soldier operating from the Dubai. The government said he had a key part in hiring and sending former Colombian soldiers to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Oliveros, was also sanctioned. Also on the restricted list was Mateo Duque Botero, a dual national who authorities say oversaw a company accused of processing money and salaries for the recruitment operation. "Recently, US-based firms associated with Duque carried out multiple financial transactions, totalling millions of US dollars," the Treasury statement stated. Citizen of Colombia MΓ³nica MuΓ±oz was the fourth individual to be penalized, with the entity she oversaw accused of financial transactions associated with Duque and his companies. "The US once more urges outside forces to halt the flow of funding and arms to the combatants," the Treasury said in a statement. Expert Analysis Elizabeth Dickinson, from a conflict think tank, called the actions as a "highly important" development, stating that "identifying the recruiters is the right way to go". Furthermore, the Colombian government ratified a piece of legislation approving the anti-mercenary convention, aiming to curb its citizens' long history in international fights and change its security approach. A mercenary specialist, an expert on mercenaries, called for greater wariness, stating that "restrictions are needed but not enough for addressing widespread use of contractors". "It operates in the black market and centered in the Emirates, which is difficult to penalize," he stated. The UAE has been repeatedly implicated of supplying weapons to the paramilitary group, an accusation it has denied. "Expect more Colombian mercenaries," he advised.