🔗 Share this article Washington Levies Sanctions on Network Alleged of Channeling Colombian Contractors to the Sudanese Conflict. The Washington has levied restrictions on a operation of four people and four firms charged of enlisting South American contractors to fight for and train a militia force in Sudan the United States claims of acts of genocide. Group Makeup Revealing the measures on Tuesday, the Treasury stated the scheme was mostly comprised of Colombian citizens and firms. Scores of ex-soldiers from Colombia have reportedly travelled to Sudan to operate with the RSF paramilitary group, a group linked to severe violations encompassing ethnically targeted slaughter and large-scale abductions. Revelation of Role The involvement of Colombian fighters was first uncovered last year, following an inquiry which found that hundreds of ex-military personnel had been hired to fight – an revelation that prompted an unprecedented apology from the Colombian government. Colombian ex-soldiers have long been considered as some of the most in-demand contractors globally due to their extensive battlefield experience gleaned from decades of civil war, training on advanced weaponry, and high-level combat training. Activities in Sudan In the conflict, the contractors have allegedly instructed child soldiers, provided drone warfare training, and fought directly on the frontlines. One source remarked that working with child soldiers was "horrific and irrational" but commented that "unfortunately that’s how war is". Sanctioned Individuals Among those penalized was Álvaro Andrés Quijano Becerra, a individual with dual citizenship and retired Colombian military officer based in the United Arab Emirates. The Treasury accused him a pivotal function in recruiting and deploying ex-military personnel to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Oliveros, was similarly targeted. Also on the sanctions list was Duque Botero, a dual national who officials alleged oversaw a company linked to managing finances and payments for the recruitment operation. "In 2024 and 2025, American entities linked to Duque carried out numerous wire transfers, worth millions," the official announcement noted. Colombian national Mónica Muñoz was the fourth individual to be targeted, with the entity she oversaw accused of wire transfers associated with Duque and his operations. "Washington reiterates its demand for external actors to halt the flow of financial and military support to the warring parties," the agency announced. Analyst Commentary An expert, senior analyst at the International Crisis Group, labeled the actions as a "major" development, noting that "targeting the enablers is the proper strategy". It was also noted that, Colombia ratified a statute approving the anti-mercenary convention, aiming to curb its citizens' long history in overseas wars and transform national security policy. Another expert, an expert on mercenaries, called for greater wariness, noting that "sanctions are necessary but insufficient for combating widespread use of contractors". "This is a shadow economy and centered in the Emirates, which is relatively sanction-proof," he commented. The UAE has been repeatedly implicated of supplying weapons to the paramilitary group, claims it rejects. "Expect more Colombian mercenaries," the expert cautioned.