🔗 Share this article Washington Levies Penalties on Network Accused of Channeling Colombian Mercenaries to the Sudanese Conflict. The US government has enforced penalties on a group of several persons and entities alleged of recruiting South American contractors to fight for and train a militia force in Sudan the United States claims of committing genocide. Group Makeup Disclosing the measures on Tuesday, the US Treasury Department stated the scheme was largely composed of Colombian citizens and firms. Numerous of retired Colombian troops have allegedly journeyed to Sudan to combat beside the Sudanese RSF militia, a faction linked to horrific war crimes encompassing targeted ethnic killings and widespread kidnappings. Discovery of Participation The role of these mercenaries first came to light in 2024, following an report which found that over three hundred former soldiers had been contracted to fight – an event that led to an rare mea culpa from Colombia’s foreign ministry. Former Colombian military have long been considered as highly prized fighters in conflict zones due to their considerable warzone knowledge resulting from decades of civil war, training on Nato equipment, and elite military instruction. Activities in Sudan In Sudan, the contractors have reportedly trained underage fighters, instructed militiamen in drone operation, and participated in direct battles. A mercenary remarked that training children was "terrible and insane" but commented that "regrettably, war operates that way". Targeted Persons Among those penalized was a dual national, a individual with dual citizenship and ex-soldier based in the Dubai. The government alleged he played a pivotal function in enlisting and transporting ex-military personnel to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Oliveros, was also sanctioned. Also on the sanctions list was Duque Botero, a individual with Colombian and Spanish citizenship who authorities say ran a firm accused of handling funds and payroll for the network. "Recently, companies in the United States connected to Duque conducted several money transfers, worth millions," the government release said. Colombian national Mónica Muñoz was the fourth individual to be sanctioned, with the entity she oversaw accused of money transfers associated with Duque and his companies. "Washington reiterates its demand for foreign parties to stop giving monetary and weaponry aid to the belligerents," the Treasury announced. Expert Analysis Elizabeth Dickinson, with the International Crisis Group, described the actions as a "highly important" milestone, noting that "calling out those who are doing the contracting is the correct approach". She added that, Colombia recently passed a statute endorsing the global treaty against mercenarism, seeking to reduce years of participation by its nationals in overseas wars and transform its security approach. A mercenary specialist, a scholar on the subject, advised additional measures, noting that "sanctions are necessary but insufficient for dealing with rampant mercenarism". "It’s an illicit economy and based out of the Emirates, which is largely insulated from sanctions," he stated. The United Arab Emirates has been widely accused of arming the RSF, an accusation it has denied. "More contractors from Colombia are likely," the expert cautioned.