🔗 Share this article

The United States has imposed sanctions on a network of several persons and entities accused of hiring former Colombian soldiers to combat alongside and instruct a militia force in Sudan that Washington accuses of genocidal acts.

Operation Structure

Disclosing the restrictions on Tuesday, the American treasury stated the scheme was mostly comprised of Colombian citizens and firms.

Hundreds of retired Colombian troops have allegedly journeyed to Sudan to combat beside the Sudanese RSF militia, a faction accused of terrible atrocities including massacres based on ethnicity and widespread kidnappings.

Discovery of Participation

The involvement of Colombian fighters initially emerged last year, prompted by an inquiry which disclosed that hundreds of retired troops had been recruited to participate in the war – an discovery that led to an unprecedented apology from the Colombian government.

Colombian ex-soldiers have historically been seen as some of the most in-demand contractors globally due to their considerable warzone knowledge acquired during decades of civil war, training on Nato equipment, and high-level combat training.

Reported Actions

In the conflict, the Colombians have been accused of teaching minors, instructed militiamen in drone operation, and fought directly on the frontlines. A mercenary previously stated that instructing minors was "terrible and insane" but commented that "unfortunately that’s how war is".

Targeted Persons

Among those targeted was a dual national, a dual Colombian-Italian national and ex-soldier located in the UAE. The US authorities alleged he played a pivotal function in enlisting and transporting former Colombian soldiers to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Oliveros, was penalized as well.

Also on the restricted list was Mateo Duque Botero, a dual national who authorities say ran a firm linked to managing finances and payments for the recruitment operation. "Over the past two years, US-based firms linked to Duque conducted several money transfers, worth millions," the official announcement noted.

Citizen of Colombia Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the fourth individual to be penalized, with the company she managed accused of money transfers linked to Duque and his businesses.

"Washington reiterates its demand for foreign parties to stop giving funding and arms to the warring parties," the department said in a statement.

Reaction

An expert, with the International Crisis Group, labeled the sanctions as a "major" milestone, noting that "calling out those who are doing the contracting is the correct approach".

Furthermore, Colombia has enacted a law endorsing the global treaty against mercenarism, seeking to reduce years of participation by its nationals in foreign conflicts and transform national security policy.

A mercenary specialist, a authority on private military contractors, called for greater wariness, noting that "penalties are required yet incomplete for addressing rampant mercenarism".

"It operates in the black market and operating from Dubai, which is difficult to penalize," he said. The Emirati government has been widely accused of providing arms to the militia, an accusation it has denied. "Expect more Colombian mercenaries," he advised.