🔗 Share this article

The United States has enforced penalties on a operation of four individuals and four companies accused of enlisting Colombian mercenaries to combat alongside and instruct a armed faction in Sudan which the US alleges of genocidal acts.

Group Makeup

Announcing the restrictions on this week, the American treasury stated the operation was primarily made up of Colombian citizens and firms.

Hundreds of ex-soldiers from Colombia have allegedly journeyed to Sudan to combat beside the Sudanese RSF militia, a group linked to horrific war crimes including targeted ethnic killings and widespread kidnappings.

Discovery of Participation

The participation of ex-soldiers initially emerged last year, after an inquiry which disclosed that more than 300 retired troops had been hired to fight – an discovery that resulted in an rare mea culpa from the Colombian government.

Colombian ex-soldiers have widely regarded as highly prized fighters in conflict zones due to their considerable warzone knowledge gleaned from a long-running domestic war, familiarity with Western military gear, and high-level combat training.

Activities in Sudan

In Sudan, the Colombians have reportedly trained child soldiers, provided drone warfare training, and engaged in frontline combat. A mercenary was quoted as saying that instructing minors was "horrific and irrational" but added that "regrettably, war operates that way".

Targeted Persons

Among those targeted was a retired Colombian officer, a individual with dual citizenship and former army officer located in the Dubai. The US authorities alleged he played a central role in enlisting and transporting mercenaries to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Oliveros, was also sanctioned.

Also on the sanctions list was Mateo Duque Botero, a dual national who authorities say ran a firm linked to managing finances and payments for the scheme. "Recently, American entities linked to Duque carried out several money transfers, worth millions," the government release noted.

Individual Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the final person to be penalized, with the company she managed accused of money transfers connected to Duque and his operations.

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

Reaction

Elizabeth Dickinson, with the International Crisis Group, labeled the measures as a "major" milestone, stating that "calling out those who are doing the contracting is the right way to go".

Furthermore, Bogotá has enacted a law ratifying the International Convention Against the Recruitment and Use of Mercenaries, aiming to curb its citizens' long history in international fights and transform its security approach.

Another expert, an expert on mercenaries, called for greater wariness, noting that "sanctions are necessary but insufficient for addressing widespread use of contractors".

"It’s an illicit economy and based out of Dubai, which is difficult to penalize," he said. The United Arab Emirates has been frequently alleged of supplying weapons to the paramilitary group, allegations it disputes. "Expect more Colombian mercenaries," he advised.