US Hits Colombian Network Recruiting Fighters for Sudan's Brutal War with Sanctions

The United States has imposed sanctions on a network accused of recruiting Colombian ex-military personnel to fight in Sudan's intensifying civil war. The move comes as Secretary of State Marco Rubio engages in diplomatic efforts to broker peace between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The conflict, which began in 2023, has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths and widespread destruction. Sudan's army chief, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, has previously appealed to US President Donald Trump to end the war, but attempts at peace have repeatedly fallen through. The US Treasury Department has targeted four individuals and four entities, including a retired Colombian military officer, Alvaro Andres Quijano Becerra, who is accused of playing a key role in recruiting and deploying former military personnel to Sudan. His employment agency and wife, who manages the business, are also impacted by the sanctions. The RSF has been accused of targeting civilians, including children, and has been linked to brutal violence that has deepened the conflict and destabilized the region. The United States has also raised concerns about the involvement of other regional powers, including Egypt and Saudi Arabia, in the conflict. Rubio has spoken with the foreign ministers of these countries as part of efforts to end the war. The United Arab Emirates has faced accusations of backing the RSF through weapons and mercenaries, but has denied the allegations. The sanctions are a significant step in the US efforts to address the humanitarian crisis in Sudan. The State Department has previously determined that members of the RSF have committed genocide, and the latest move aims to disrupt the network's ability to recruit and train fighters.