đ Share this article United States Enforces Penalties on Group Accused of Channeling Colombian Mercenaries to Sudan. The US government has enforced penalties on a network of four people and four firms accused of hiring South American contractors to fight for and train a armed faction in Sudan the United States claims of genocidal acts. Group Makeup Disclosing the measures on this week, the American treasury stated the network was mostly comprised of Colombian nationals and companies. Scores of retired Colombian troops have allegedly journeyed to Sudan to operate with the RSF paramilitary group, a force implicated in severe violations such as massacres based on ethnicity and mass abductions. Revelation of Role The role of these mercenaries first came to light the previous year, following an report which disclosed that hundreds of retired troops had been hired to participate in the war â an revelation that prompted an unusual statement of regret from the Colombian government. Former Colombian military have widely regarded as among the worldâs most sought-after mercenaries due to their extensive battlefield experience gleaned from decades of civil war, knowledge of Nato equipment, and superior tactical education. Reported Actions In the conflict, the mercenaries have been accused of teaching child soldiers, instructed militiamen in drone operation, and participated in direct battles. One source remarked that training children was "horrific and irrational" but noted that "regrettably, war operates that way". Named Entities Among those penalized was Ălvaro AndrĂ©s Quijano Becerra, a individual with dual citizenship and ex-soldier operating from the Dubai. The government said he had a pivotal function in hiring and sending mercenaries to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Oliveros, was penalized as well. Also on the penalty list was Duque Botero, a individual with Colombian and Spanish citizenship who officials alleged oversaw a company linked to handling funds and payroll for the network. "In 2024 and 2025, companies in the United States connected to Duque carried out several money transfers, totalling millions of US dollars," the government release said. Colombian national MĂłnica Muñoz Ucros was the fourth individual to be targeted, with the company she managed said to have conducted money transfers connected to Duque and his businesses. "Washington reiterates its demand for foreign parties to halt the flow of monetary and weaponry aid to the warring parties," the agency announced. Reaction Elizabeth Dickinson, senior analyst at the International Crisis Group, called the measures as a "major" step, noting that "calling out those who are doing the contracting is the proper strategy". It was also noted that, Colombia ratified a law ratifying the International Convention Against the Recruitment and Use of Mercenaries, aiming to curb its citizens' long history in foreign conflicts and change national security policy. A mercenary specialist, a scholar on the subject, advised additional measures, noting that "penalties are required yet incomplete for dealing with the growing mercenary trade". "This is a shadow economy and operating from the UAE, which is difficult to penalize," he stated. The Emirati government has been repeatedly implicated of arming the RSF, allegations it disputes. "More contractors from Colombia are likely," he advised.