🔗 Share this article Washington Levies Restrictions on Operation Accused of Recruiting South American Fighters to the Sudanese Conflict. The Washington has levied restrictions on a network of four people and four firms charged of recruiting Colombian mercenaries to combat alongside and instruct a Sudanese paramilitary group the United States claims of committing genocide. Group Makeup Disclosing the sanctions on Tuesday, the American treasury stated the operation was primarily made up of Colombian nationals and companies. Numerous of retired Colombian troops have been recruited to go to Sudan to operate with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a group implicated in horrific war crimes such as ethnically targeted slaughter and mass abductions. Emergence of Involvement The role of these mercenaries was first uncovered in 2024, following an inquiry which found that more than 300 retired troops had been contracted to participate in the war – an event that led to an unprecedented apology from the Colombian government. These South American veterans have long been considered as among the world’s most sought-after mercenaries due to their extensive battlefield experience gleaned from a long-running domestic war, familiarity with Western military gear, and superior tactical education. Activities in Sudan In the Sudanese theater, the Colombians have been accused of teaching underage fighters, instructed militiamen in drone operation, and fought directly on the frontlines. An individual involved remarked that instructing minors was "horrific and irrational" but noted that "sadly, that is the nature of conflict". Named Entities Among those penalized was Álvaro Andrés Quijano Becerra, a citizen of both Colombia and Italy and retired Colombian military officer based in the Dubai. The government accused him a central role in recruiting and deploying ex-military personnel to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Oliveros, was similarly targeted. Also on the restricted list was Mateo Andrés Duque Botero, a dual Colombian-Spanish citizen who the Treasury stated ran a firm linked to processing money and salaries for the recruitment operation. "In 2024 and 2025, US-based firms connected to Duque conducted several money transfers, worth millions," the government release stated. Individual Mónica Muñoz was the fourth individual to be penalized, with the company she managed said to have conducted wire transfers associated with Duque and his operations. "The US once more urges foreign parties to cease providing financial and military support to the warring parties," the Treasury stated. Reaction An expert, with the International Crisis Group, called the actions as a "major" milestone, noting that "identifying the recruiters is the correct approach". Furthermore, the Colombian government recently passed a statute endorsing the International Convention Against the Recruitment and Use of Mercenaries, seeking to reduce its citizens' long history in overseas wars and transform its security approach. Another expert, a scholar on the subject, urged more caution, noting that "sanctions are necessary but insufficient for combating widespread use of contractors". "This is a shadow economy and operating from the UAE, which is difficult to penalize," he stated. The UAE has been frequently alleged of arming the RSF, allegations it disputes. "This trend will probably continue," he advised.