🔗 Share this article Washington Levies Restrictions on Operation Alleged of Funneling Colombian Fighters to the Sudanese Conflict. The United States has levied restrictions on a operation of four individuals and four companies charged of enlisting former Colombian soldiers to combat alongside and instruct a Sudanese paramilitary group which the US alleges of genocidal acts. Operation Structure Disclosing the sanctions on Tuesday, the US Treasury Department stated the network was largely composed of Colombian citizens and firms. Hundreds of ex-soldiers from Colombia have been recruited to go to the conflict in Sudan to fight alongside the Sudanese RSF militia, a force accused of terrible atrocities encompassing ethnically targeted slaughter and widespread kidnappings. Emergence of Involvement The involvement of Colombian fighters first came to light in 2024, prompted by an inquiry which revealed that over three hundred ex-military personnel had been recruited to engage in combat – an event that led to an unprecedented apology from the Colombian government. Former Colombian military have long been considered as highly prized fighters in conflict zones due to their vast combat experience resulting from decades of civil war, knowledge of Western military gear, and high-level combat training. Role in the Conflict In the conflict, the Colombians have allegedly instructed underage fighters, provided drone warfare training, and engaged in frontline combat. A mercenary remarked that instructing minors was "terrible and insane" but noted that "unfortunately that’s how war is". Targeted Persons Among those sanctioned was a retired Colombian officer, a citizen of both Colombia and Italy and former army officer operating from the UAE. The Treasury said he had a key part in enlisting and transporting ex-military personnel to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Oliveros, was also sanctioned. Also on the sanctions list was Mateo Andrés Duque Botero, a dual national who officials alleged oversaw a company linked to managing finances and payments for the recruitment operation. "Recently, companies in the United States linked to Duque conducted multiple financial transactions, amounting to millions," the official announcement said. Citizen of Colombia Mónica Muñoz was the final person to be penalized, with the firm she operated said to have conducted money transfers connected to Duque and his operations. "The US once more urges outside forces to halt the flow of funding and arms to the belligerents," the department announced. Expert Analysis A senior analyst, from a conflict think tank, called the sanctions as a "very significant" step, saying that "targeting the enablers is the right way to go". She added that, Colombia has enacted a law approving the International Convention Against the Recruitment and Use of Mercenaries, seeking to reduce decades of Colombian involvement in foreign conflicts and transform domestic defense strategy. Another expert, a authority on private military contractors, advised additional measures, stating that "sanctions are necessary but insufficient for addressing widespread use of contractors". "This is a shadow economy and centered in Dubai, which is largely insulated from sanctions," he commented. The Emirati government has been frequently alleged of providing arms to the militia, claims it rejects. "This trend will probably continue," the expert cautioned.