🔗 Share this article United States Enforces Penalties on Operation Alleged of Funneling South American Fighters to Sudan. The United States has enforced penalties on a group of several persons and entities charged of recruiting former Colombian soldiers to support and educate a militia force in Sudan the United States claims of acts of genocide. Network Composition Disclosing the sanctions on this week, the American treasury stated the operation was primarily made up of Colombian citizens and firms. Hundreds of ex-soldiers from Colombia have been recruited to go to the conflict in Sudan to operate with the RSF paramilitary group, a group linked to severe violations such as targeted ethnic killings and large-scale abductions. Discovery of Participation The participation of ex-soldiers was first uncovered last year, prompted by an investigation which revealed that more than 300 former soldiers had been recruited to participate in the war – an event that led to an unprecedented apology from Colombia’s foreign ministry. Former Colombian military have widely regarded as among the world’s most sought-after mercenaries due to their considerable warzone knowledge resulting from decades of civil war, knowledge of advanced weaponry, and high-level combat training. Role in the Conflict In Sudan, the contractors have reportedly trained minors, instructed militiamen in drone operation, and fought directly on the frontlines. A mercenary remarked that working with child soldiers was "horrific and irrational" but noted that "regrettably, war operates that way". Targeted Persons Among those sanctioned was Álvaro Andrés Quijano Becerra, a dual Colombian-Italian national and ex-soldier based in the Dubai. The government accused him a key part in enlisting and transporting former Colombian soldiers to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was similarly targeted. Also on the penalty list was Duque Botero, a dual Colombian-Spanish citizen who the Treasury stated managed a business accused of processing money and salaries for the recruitment operation. "Over the past two years, US-based firms connected to Duque engaged in several money transfers, totalling millions of US dollars," the Treasury statement stated. Individual Mónica Muñoz was the fourth individual to be targeted, with the entity she oversaw said to have conducted wire transfers associated with Duque and his businesses. "The United States again calls on outside forces to halt the flow of financial and military support to the belligerents," the Treasury announced. Expert Analysis An expert, senior analyst at the International Crisis Group, described the actions as a "very significant" step, saying that "calling out those who are doing the contracting is the right way to go". Furthermore, Bogotá recently passed a law endorsing the anti-mercenary convention, aiming to curb decades of Colombian involvement in overseas wars and change its security approach. A mercenary specialist, a scholar on the subject, called for greater wariness, noting that "sanctions are necessary but insufficient for addressing widespread use of contractors". "It operates in the black market and operating from Dubai, which is difficult to penalize," he commented. The United Arab Emirates has been widely accused of providing arms to the militia, allegations it disputes. "More contractors from Colombia are likely," the expert cautioned.