🔗 Share this article US Imposes Restrictions on Operation Accused of Recruiting Colombian Fighters to the Sudanese Conflict. The United States has levied restrictions on a network of several persons and entities alleged of enlisting South American contractors to support and educate a armed faction in Sudan which the US alleges of acts of genocide. Group Makeup Announcing the restrictions on this week, the American treasury stated the operation was primarily made up of Colombian citizens and firms. Scores of ex-soldiers from Colombia have allegedly journeyed to the conflict in Sudan to operate with the Sudanese RSF militia, a force accused of horrific war crimes including targeted ethnic killings and mass abductions. Emergence of Involvement The participation of ex-soldiers was first uncovered last year, prompted by an inquiry which revealed that over three hundred ex-military personnel had been recruited to fight – an revelation that prompted an rare mea culpa from the Colombian government. These South American veterans have long been considered as among the world’s most sought-after mercenaries due to their considerable warzone knowledge acquired during decades of civil war, knowledge of Western military gear, and high-level combat training. Reported Actions In Sudan, the mercenaries have reportedly trained underage fighters, instructed militiamen in drone operation, and engaged in frontline combat. A mercenary previously stated that working with child soldiers was "terrible and insane" but added that "unfortunately that’s how war is". Named Entities Among those sanctioned was Álvaro Andrés Quijano Becerra, a individual with dual citizenship and former army officer located in the United Arab Emirates. The government accused him a pivotal function in enlisting and transporting mercenaries to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Oliveros, was similarly targeted. Also on the penalty list was Mateo Andrés Duque Botero, a dual national who officials alleged ran a firm accused of managing finances and payments for the scheme. "Over the past two years, American entities connected to Duque carried out numerous wire transfers, worth millions," the official announcement noted. Citizen of Colombia Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the final person to be sanctioned, with the entity she oversaw accused of money transfers associated with Duque and his companies. "The US once more urges external actors to cease providing funding and arms to the belligerents," the department announced. Analyst Commentary A senior analyst, from a conflict think tank, described the sanctions as a "major" development, saying that "calling out those who are doing the contracting is the proper strategy". It was also noted that, the Colombian government has enacted a statute endorsing the anti-mercenary convention, aiming to curb its citizens' long history in international fights and change domestic defense strategy. A mercenary specialist, a authority on private military contractors, urged more caution, saying that "sanctions are necessary but insufficient for dealing with widespread use of contractors". "It operates in the black market and centered in Dubai, which is relatively sanction-proof," he said. The UAE has been repeatedly implicated of arming the RSF, an accusation it has denied. "More contractors from Colombia are likely," the expert cautioned.