🔗 Share this article US Imposes Sanctions on Operation Accused of Channeling Colombian Mercenaries to the Sudanese Conflict. The US government has levied restrictions on a operation of several persons and entities alleged of hiring former Colombian soldiers to combat alongside and instruct a militia force in Sudan that Washington accuses of genocidal acts. Network Composition Announcing the measures on Tuesday, the American treasury stated the scheme was mostly comprised of Colombian citizens and firms. Scores of ex-soldiers from Colombia have allegedly journeyed to the Sudanese warzone to fight alongside the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a group linked to terrible atrocities such as targeted ethnic killings and large-scale abductions. Revelation of Role The role of these mercenaries was first uncovered in 2024, following an report which revealed that more than 300 retired troops had been contracted to participate in the war – an event that prompted an unprecedented apology from the Colombian government. Former Colombian military have historically been seen as some of the most in-demand contractors globally due to their vast combat experience acquired during years of internal conflict, knowledge of Nato equipment, and elite military instruction. Reported Actions In Sudan, the Colombians have been accused of teaching child soldiers, provided drone warfare training, and engaged in frontline combat. A mercenary was quoted as saying that instructing minors was "horrific and irrational" but commented that "unfortunately that’s how war is". Targeted Persons Among those targeted was a retired Colombian officer, a individual with dual citizenship and ex-soldier located in the Dubai. 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 Duque Botero, a dual national who officials alleged ran a firm accused of managing finances and payments for the recruitment operation. "Over the past two years, American entities associated with Duque carried out numerous wire transfers, amounting to millions," the Treasury statement said. Colombian national Mónica Muñoz was the final person to be targeted, with the firm she operated accused of money transfers linked to Duque and his businesses. "Washington reiterates its demand for outside forces to stop giving monetary and weaponry aid to the belligerents," the agency announced. Analyst Commentary A senior analyst, senior analyst at the International Crisis Group, called the actions as a "very significant" step, noting that "calling out those who are doing the contracting is the proper strategy". Furthermore, the Colombian government has enacted a piece of legislation ratifying the International Convention Against the Recruitment and Use of Mercenaries, aiming to curb decades of Colombian involvement in foreign conflicts and change domestic defense strategy. Sean McFate, a scholar on the subject, advised additional measures, stating that "restrictions are needed but not enough for addressing the growing mercenary trade". "It operates in the black market and centered in the UAE, which is relatively sanction-proof," he commented. The UAE has been widely accused of providing arms to the militia, claims it rejects. "More contractors from Colombia are likely," he advised.