🔗 Share this article US Imposes Restrictions on Operation Alleged of Channeling Colombian Fighters to Sudan. The US government has levied restrictions on a network of several persons and entities accused of hiring former Colombian soldiers to support and educate a armed faction in Sudan that Washington accuses of acts of genocide. Network Composition Announcing the measures on this week, the Treasury stated the network was largely composed of individuals and businesses from Colombia. Numerous of ex-soldiers from Colombia have been recruited to go to the conflict in Sudan to fight alongside the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a group accused of horrific war crimes such as massacres based on ethnicity and widespread kidnappings. Discovery of Participation The role of these mercenaries first came to light in 2024, prompted by an investigation which found that hundreds of ex-military personnel had been recruited to engage in combat – an revelation that led to an unprecedented apology from officials in Bogotá. Former Colombian military have historically been seen as highly prized fighters in conflict zones due to their extensive battlefield experience gleaned from years of internal conflict, familiarity with advanced weaponry, and elite military instruction. Role in the Conflict In the conflict, the Colombians have reportedly trained minors, provided drone warfare training, and participated in direct battles. An individual involved previously stated that training children was "terrible and insane" but commented that "regrettably, war operates that way". Sanctioned Individuals Among those targeted was a dual national, a dual Colombian-Italian national and retired Colombian military officer based in the UAE. The US authorities alleged he played a key part in enlisting and transporting former Colombian soldiers to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Oliveros, was also sanctioned. Also on the sanctions list was Duque Botero, a individual with Colombian and Spanish citizenship who authorities say ran a firm implicated in handling funds and payroll for the network. "In 2024 and 2025, American entities connected to Duque conducted multiple financial transactions, worth millions," the government release said. Colombian national Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the fourth individual to be targeted, with the company she managed accused of wire transfers associated with Duque and his businesses. "The US once more urges outside forces to halt the flow of financial and military support to the belligerents," the department stated. Reaction An expert, senior analyst at the International Crisis Group, labeled the measures as a "highly important" development, stating that "identifying the recruiters is the correct approach". Furthermore, Colombia has enacted a law ratifying the anti-mercenary convention, designed to limit decades of Colombian involvement in overseas wars and transform domestic defense strategy. Sean McFate, a scholar on the subject, advised additional measures, noting that "sanctions are necessary but insufficient for dealing with widespread use of contractors". "This is a shadow economy and based out of the Emirates, which is difficult to penalize," he said. The United Arab Emirates has been frequently alleged of arming the RSF, an accusation it has denied. "This trend will probably continue," he advised.