U.S. Imposes Sanctions Targeting Colombian Fighters in Sudan
Washington - Mishawir
The United States announced on Friday sanctions against five companies and individuals it said were involved in recruiting former Colombian military personnel to fight alongside the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Sudan.
In a statement reported by Reuters, the U.S. Department of the Treasury said that this network has fueled the conflict, contributing to one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises and famine situations.
The department added that the United States has urged both the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces to agree to an unconditional three-month humanitarian ceasefire.
According to the Treasury, hundreds of former Colombian troops traveled to Sudan to support the RSF in both combat and technical roles, participating in battles across the country.
Among those targeted by the sanctions are the company “Phoenix Human Resources SAS,” a recruitment agency based in Bogotá, Colombia, its director José Libardo Quecano Torres, former Colombian army colonel José Óscar García Bat (owner of a recruitment firm also based in Bogotá), as well as “Global Coa Besharia SAS” and its director Omar Fernando García Bat.
The sanctions mean that all property and interests belonging to the designated individuals and entities within the United States are now frozen.
