đ Share this article United States Enforces Sanctions on Group Alleged of Channeling Colombian Fighters to the Sudanese Conflict. The US government has levied restrictions on a group of four people and four firms alleged of recruiting South American contractors to support and educate a armed faction in Sudan which the US alleges of committing genocide. Network Composition Announcing the sanctions on this week, the Treasury stated the network was primarily made up of individuals and businesses from Colombia. Hundreds of former Colombian military personnel have been recruited to go to the conflict in Sudan to combat beside the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a faction implicated in terrible atrocities including targeted ethnic killings and mass abductions. Emergence of Involvement The involvement of Colombian fighters first came to light in 2024, prompted by an inquiry which disclosed that more than 300 retired troops had been recruited to participate in the war â an revelation that resulted in an unusual statement of regret from the Colombian government. Former Colombian military have long been considered as among the worldâs most sought-after mercenaries due to their considerable warzone knowledge resulting from years of internal conflict, training on advanced weaponry, and superior tactical education. Activities in Sudan In the Sudanese theater, the mercenaries have been accused of teaching minors, taught fighters to pilot drones, and engaged in frontline combat. One source was quoted as saying that instructing minors was "awful and crazy" but noted that "unfortunately thatâs how war is". Sanctioned Individuals Among those penalized was Ălvaro AndrĂ©s Quijano Becerra, a citizen of both Colombia and Italy and former army officer located in the United Arab Emirates. The government said he had a central role in recruiting and deploying mercenaries to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was also sanctioned. Also on the penalty list was Duque Botero, a dual national who officials alleged oversaw a company implicated in processing money and salaries for the scheme. "In 2024 and 2025, American entities associated with Duque carried out multiple financial transactions, amounting to millions," the official announcement said. Citizen of Colombia MĂłnica Muñoz Ucros was the final person to be penalized, with the company she managed alleged to have financial transactions linked to Duque and his businesses. "The US once more urges outside forces to stop giving funding and arms to the combatants," the department stated. Reaction A senior analyst, with the International Crisis Group, described the measures as a "major" development, saying that "calling out those who are doing the contracting is the correct approach". She added that, Colombia recently passed a statute approving the anti-mercenary convention, aiming to curb decades of Colombian involvement in foreign conflicts and transform domestic defense strategy. Sean McFate, a scholar on the subject, advised additional measures, saying that "penalties are required yet incomplete for dealing with rampant mercenarism". "This is a shadow economy and operating from Dubai, which is difficult to penalize," he said. The UAE has been widely accused of arming the RSF, claims it rejects. "Expect more Colombian mercenaries," McFate warned.