🔗 Share this article US Imposes Penalties on Network Accused of Channeling Colombian Contractors to the Sudanese Conflict. The United States has levied restrictions on a operation of several persons and entities accused of enlisting South American contractors to combat alongside and instruct a Sudanese paramilitary group the United States claims of committing genocide. Group Makeup Announcing the restrictions on this week, the US Treasury Department stated the operation was largely composed of Colombian citizens and firms. Hundreds of retired Colombian troops have been recruited to go to the Sudanese warzone to combat beside the Sudanese RSF militia, a faction accused of severe violations including targeted ethnic killings and mass abductions. Revelation of Role The role of these mercenaries first came to light the previous year, after an investigation which disclosed that over three hundred former soldiers had been recruited to fight – an revelation that prompted an unusual statement of regret from officials in Bogotá. Former Colombian military have long been considered as highly prized fighters in conflict zones due to their vast combat experience gleaned from decades of civil war, familiarity with advanced weaponry, and superior tactical education. Role in the Conflict In the conflict, the mercenaries have allegedly instructed minors, instructed militiamen in drone operation, and fought directly on the frontlines. One source was quoted as saying that training children was "terrible and insane" but commented that "regrettably, war operates that way". Sanctioned Individuals Among those penalized was a retired Colombian officer, a citizen of both Colombia and Italy and ex-soldier operating from the Dubai. The government said he had a pivotal function in enlisting and transporting mercenaries to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was similarly targeted. Also on the restricted list was Mateo Duque Botero, a individual with Colombian and Spanish citizenship who the Treasury stated ran a firm accused of managing finances and payments for the scheme. "In 2024 and 2025, American entities connected to Duque conducted numerous wire transfers, worth millions," the Treasury statement noted. Individual Mónica Muñoz was the other individual to be penalized, with the entity she oversaw alleged to have money transfers connected to Duque and his companies. "The US once more urges external actors to cease providing funding and arms to the combatants," the agency announced. Reaction Elizabeth Dickinson, with the International Crisis Group, labeled the sanctions as a "highly important" milestone, saying that "targeting the enablers is the proper strategy". It was also noted that, Colombia has enacted a law approving the global treaty against mercenarism, aiming to curb its citizens' long history in foreign conflicts and change domestic defense strategy. A mercenary specialist, a authority on private military contractors, called for greater wariness, noting that "sanctions are necessary but insufficient for combating rampant mercenarism". "This is a shadow economy and centered in the UAE, which is difficult to penalize," he commented. The Emirati government has been widely accused of providing arms to the militia, allegations it disputes. "This trend will probably continue," McFate warned.