🔗 Share this article Washington Levies Sanctions on Network Accused of Funneling South American Fighters to Sudan. The Washington has imposed sanctions on a operation of several persons and entities accused of recruiting South American contractors to combat alongside and instruct a Sudanese paramilitary group that Washington accuses of acts of genocide. Network Composition Disclosing the restrictions on Tuesday, the American treasury stated the network was primarily made up of individuals and businesses from Colombia. Numerous of former Colombian military personnel have been recruited to go to the Sudanese warzone to combat beside the RSF paramilitary group, a faction accused of terrible atrocities encompassing targeted ethnic killings and mass abductions. Emergence of Involvement The participation of ex-soldiers initially emerged the previous year, prompted by an inquiry which revealed that more than 300 former soldiers had been contracted to participate in the war – an discovery that led to an unusual statement of regret from the Colombian government. These South American veterans have long been considered as some of the most in-demand contractors globally due to their vast combat experience resulting from decades of civil war, knowledge of Western military gear, and high-level combat training. Reported Actions In the Sudanese theater, the Colombians have allegedly instructed underage fighters, instructed militiamen in drone operation, and fought directly on the frontlines. A mercenary was quoted as saying that training children was "awful and crazy" but noted that "sadly, that is the nature of conflict". Targeted Persons Among those penalized was a dual national, a citizen of both Colombia and Italy and retired Colombian military officer operating from the UAE. The government said he had a key part in hiring and sending mercenaries to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was similarly targeted. Also on the penalty list was Duque Botero, a dual national who the Treasury stated ran a firm linked to processing money and salaries for the scheme. "In 2024 and 2025, companies in the United States linked to Duque conducted multiple financial transactions, worth millions," the Treasury statement noted. Citizen of Colombia Mónica Muñoz was the fourth individual to be targeted, with the firm she operated accused of money transfers connected to Duque and his operations. "Washington reiterates its demand for outside forces to stop giving monetary and weaponry aid to the belligerents," the department announced. Analyst Commentary Elizabeth Dickinson, with the International Crisis Group, described the measures as a "highly important" milestone, noting that "identifying the recruiters is the right way to go". It was also noted that, the Colombian government has enacted a law ratifying the global treaty against mercenarism, designed to limit decades of Colombian involvement in foreign conflicts and transform its security approach. Sean McFate, an expert on mercenaries, urged more caution, stating that "penalties are required yet incomplete for addressing rampant mercenarism". "It operates in the black market and centered in the UAE, which is relatively sanction-proof," he stated. The Emirati government has been repeatedly implicated of arming the RSF, claims it rejects. "More contractors from Colombia are likely," the expert cautioned.