🔗 Share this article US Imposes Sanctions on Network Accused of Funneling South American Fighters to Sudan. The US government has imposed sanctions on a operation of several persons and entities alleged of enlisting former Colombian soldiers to support and educate a armed faction in Sudan the United States claims of genocidal acts. Group Makeup Revealing the measures on Tuesday, the US Treasury Department stated the scheme was primarily made up of individuals and businesses from Colombia. Hundreds of former Colombian military personnel have allegedly journeyed to the conflict in Sudan to combat beside the Sudanese RSF militia, a group linked to horrific war crimes encompassing ethnically targeted slaughter and mass abductions. Revelation of Role The participation of ex-soldiers first came to light in 2024, after an investigation which revealed that over three hundred former soldiers had been recruited to fight – an discovery that led to an unusual statement of regret from the Colombian government. Colombian ex-soldiers have widely regarded as some of the most in-demand contractors globally due to their considerable warzone knowledge resulting from years of internal conflict, knowledge of advanced weaponry, and high-level combat training. Activities in Sudan In the Sudanese theater, the contractors have allegedly instructed underage fighters, instructed militiamen in drone operation, and fought directly on the frontlines. A mercenary previously stated that training children was "awful and crazy" but commented that "unfortunately that’s how war is". Sanctioned Individuals Among those targeted was a dual national, a citizen of both Colombia and Italy and former army officer operating from the United Arab Emirates. The government accused him a central role in recruiting and deploying mercenaries to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was penalized as well. Also on the sanctions list was Duque Botero, a dual Colombian-Spanish citizen who authorities say oversaw a company accused of processing money and salaries for the network. "Over the past two years, American entities associated with Duque conducted numerous wire transfers, amounting to millions," the official announcement noted. Individual Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the fourth individual to be penalized, with the firm she operated alleged to have financial transactions linked to Duque and his companies. "Washington reiterates its demand for external actors to halt the flow of monetary and weaponry aid to the belligerents," the agency stated. Expert Analysis An expert, with the International Crisis Group, labeled the sanctions as a "very significant" milestone, saying that "calling out those who are doing the contracting is the correct approach". She added that, Colombia has enacted a law ratifying the global treaty against mercenarism, seeking to reduce years of participation by its nationals in overseas wars and transform national security policy. Sean McFate, an expert on mercenaries, called for greater wariness, stating that "restrictions are needed but not enough for dealing with rampant mercenarism". "This is a shadow economy and based out of the UAE, which is relatively sanction-proof," he said. The Emirati government has been frequently alleged of providing arms to the militia, an accusation it has denied. "Expect more Colombian mercenaries," he advised.