🔗 Share this article Washington Levies Penalties on Operation Alleged of Funneling Colombian Contractors to Sudan. The US government has enforced penalties on a group of four individuals and four companies charged of enlisting Colombian mercenaries to support and educate a militia force in Sudan that Washington accuses of committing genocide. Network Composition Disclosing the restrictions on this week, the American treasury stated the scheme was largely composed of Colombian nationals and companies. Hundreds of ex-soldiers from Colombia have reportedly travelled to Sudan to fight alongside the Sudanese RSF militia, a group linked to terrible atrocities including massacres based on ethnicity and mass abductions. Revelation of Role The role of these mercenaries first came to light last year, prompted by an inquiry which disclosed that more than 300 ex-military personnel had been recruited to engage in combat – an event that resulted in an unprecedented apology from the Colombian government. These South American veterans have historically been seen as among the world’s most sought-after mercenaries due to their vast combat experience resulting from years of internal conflict, familiarity with Nato equipment, and high-level combat training. Reported Actions In the conflict, the contractors have reportedly trained minors, taught fighters to pilot drones, and participated in direct battles. An individual involved was quoted as saying that instructing minors was "horrific and irrational" but commented that "sadly, that is the nature of conflict". Targeted Persons Among those sanctioned was Álvaro Andrés Quijano Becerra, a individual with dual citizenship and former army officer based in the UAE. The US authorities accused him a central role in recruiting and deploying ex-military personnel to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Oliveros, was penalized as well. Also on the penalty list was Mateo Andrés Duque Botero, a dual Colombian-Spanish citizen who officials alleged oversaw a company linked to processing money and salaries for the recruitment operation. "Recently, companies in the United States associated with Duque engaged in numerous wire transfers, worth millions," the official announcement said. Colombian national Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the fourth individual to be penalized, with the entity she oversaw said to have conducted wire transfers linked to Duque and his businesses. "Washington reiterates its demand for outside forces to halt the flow of funding and arms to the combatants," the department said in a statement. Analyst Commentary An expert, from a conflict think tank, described the sanctions as a "major" milestone, stating that "calling out those who are doing the contracting is the correct approach". It was also noted that, Colombia has enacted a statute ratifying the anti-mercenary convention, seeking to reduce its citizens' long history in overseas wars and change its security approach. Another expert, a authority on private military contractors, urged more caution, noting that "sanctions are necessary but insufficient for dealing with the growing mercenary trade". "This is a shadow economy and based out of the UAE, which is difficult to penalize," he commented. The UAE has been widely accused of arming the RSF, allegations it disputes. "This trend will probably continue," McFate warned.