🔗 Share this article

The Washington has imposed sanctions on a group of four individuals and four companies charged of enlisting former Colombian soldiers to fight for and train a militia force in Sudan which the US alleges of committing genocide.

Group Makeup

Announcing the measures on this week, the Treasury stated the operation was largely composed of Colombian citizens and firms.

Numerous of former Colombian military personnel have reportedly travelled to the Sudanese warzone to operate with the Sudanese RSF militia, a faction accused of severe violations including massacres based on ethnicity and mass abductions.

Discovery of Participation

The participation of ex-soldiers first came to light last year, after an investigation which disclosed that hundreds of retired troops had been hired to participate in the war – an event that resulted in an unusual statement of regret from the Colombian government.

Former Colombian military have widely regarded as some of the most in-demand contractors globally due to their extensive battlefield experience gleaned from years of internal conflict, familiarity with advanced weaponry, and elite military instruction.

Activities in Sudan

In Sudan, the contractors have reportedly trained child soldiers, instructed militiamen in drone operation, and participated in direct battles. One source was quoted as saying that working with child soldiers was "terrible and insane" but noted that "regrettably, war operates that way".

Named Entities

Among those targeted was a retired Colombian officer, a individual with dual citizenship and former army officer based in the Dubai. The US authorities alleged he played a key part in enlisting and transporting mercenaries to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was penalized as well.

Also on the penalty list was Mateo Andrés Duque Botero, a individual with Colombian and Spanish citizenship who authorities say ran a firm implicated in managing finances and payments for the network. "Recently, companies in the United States connected to Duque conducted several money transfers, totalling millions of US dollars," the Treasury statement stated.

Colombian national Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the final person to be sanctioned, with the company she managed alleged to have financial transactions connected to Duque and his businesses.

"The US once more urges foreign parties to halt the flow of financial and military support to the warring parties," the agency announced.

Expert Analysis

A senior analyst, with the International Crisis Group, described the actions as a "highly important" development, saying that "calling out those who are doing the contracting is the right way to go".

Furthermore, Bogotá ratified a statute ratifying the anti-mercenary convention, seeking to reduce years of participation by its nationals in overseas wars and transform its security approach.

A mercenary specialist, a authority on private military contractors, urged more caution, noting that "penalties are required yet incomplete for combating widespread use of contractors".

"It operates in the black market and based out of Dubai, which is difficult to penalize," he said. The Emirati government has been frequently alleged of supplying weapons to the paramilitary group, an accusation it has denied. "Expect more Colombian mercenaries," McFate warned.