🔗 Share this article

The United States has levied restrictions on a network of four people and four firms alleged of hiring former Colombian soldiers to fight for and train a militia force in Sudan that Washington accuses of genocidal acts.

Operation Structure

Revealing the sanctions on this week, the US Treasury Department stated the operation was primarily made up of Colombian citizens and firms.

Numerous of former Colombian military personnel have been recruited to go to the conflict in Sudan to operate with the Sudanese RSF militia, a force implicated in severe violations encompassing targeted ethnic killings and widespread kidnappings.

Discovery of Participation

The involvement of Colombian fighters first came to light the previous year, prompted by an report which disclosed that more than 300 ex-military personnel had been hired to participate in the war – an discovery that resulted in an unusual statement of regret from Colombia’s foreign ministry.

These South American veterans have historically been seen as highly prized fighters in conflict zones due to their vast combat experience resulting from a long-running domestic war, training on advanced weaponry, and elite military instruction.

Reported Actions

In the Sudanese theater, the mercenaries have reportedly trained child soldiers, taught fighters to pilot drones, and fought directly on the frontlines. An individual involved was quoted as saying that working with child soldiers was "awful and crazy" but added that "regrettably, war operates that way".

Named Entities

Among those penalized was a dual national, a individual with dual citizenship and ex-soldier based in the Dubai. The US authorities accused him a pivotal function in hiring and sending mercenaries to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was similarly targeted.

Also on the restricted list was Duque Botero, a dual national who authorities say oversaw a company implicated in managing finances and payments for the scheme. "Over the past two years, companies in the United States linked to Duque engaged in numerous wire transfers, totalling millions of US dollars," the Treasury statement said.

Individual Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the final person to be targeted, with the firm she operated alleged to have money transfers linked to Duque and his businesses.

"The United States again calls on foreign parties to cease providing financial and military support to the combatants," the department announced.

Expert Analysis

An expert, senior analyst at the International Crisis Group, called the measures as a "major" development, noting that "calling out those who are doing the contracting is the correct approach".

Furthermore, Colombia recently passed a statute endorsing the International Convention Against the Recruitment and Use of Mercenaries, designed to limit years of participation by its nationals in foreign conflicts and transform its security approach.

Sean McFate, a scholar on the subject, advised additional measures, saying that "penalties are required yet incomplete for combating the growing mercenary trade".

"It operates in the black market and operating from the Emirates, which is largely insulated from sanctions," he stated. The Emirati government has been widely accused of supplying weapons to the paramilitary group, allegations it disputes. "More contractors from Colombia are likely," he advised.