🔗 Share this article

The Washington has imposed sanctions on a network of four people and four firms alleged of hiring Colombian mercenaries to combat alongside and instruct a armed faction in Sudan the United States claims of acts of genocide.

Operation Structure

Announcing the restrictions on Tuesday, the American treasury stated the network was mostly comprised 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 group implicated in horrific war crimes including ethnically targeted slaughter and widespread kidnappings.

Revelation of Role

The role of these mercenaries initially emerged in 2024, after an inquiry which disclosed that over three hundred retired troops had been hired to fight – an revelation that resulted in an unusual statement of regret from the Colombian government.

Colombian ex-soldiers have historically been seen as some of the most in-demand contractors globally due to their extensive battlefield experience acquired during a long-running domestic war, knowledge of Western military gear, and elite military instruction.

Role in the Conflict

In the conflict, the Colombians have reportedly trained underage fighters, provided drone warfare training, and fought directly on the frontlines. One source remarked that training children was "awful and crazy" but added that "sadly, that is the nature of conflict".

Targeted Persons

Among those targeted was Álvaro Andrés Quijano Becerra, a citizen of both Colombia and Italy and ex-soldier based in the United Arab Emirates. The Treasury alleged he played a pivotal function in recruiting and deploying former Colombian soldiers to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Oliveros, was also sanctioned.

Also on the sanctions list was Mateo Duque Botero, a individual with Colombian and Spanish citizenship who the Treasury stated managed a business accused of processing money and salaries for the network. "Recently, companies in the United States connected to Duque carried out multiple financial transactions, amounting to millions," the government release said.

Individual Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the final person to be targeted, with the entity she oversaw alleged to have money transfers connected to Duque and his operations.

"Washington reiterates its demand for foreign parties to cease providing financial and military support to the warring parties," the Treasury stated.

Reaction

An expert, from a conflict think tank, labeled the measures as a "major" milestone, noting that "calling out those who are doing the contracting is the correct approach".

She added that, the Colombian government has enacted a piece of legislation 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 national security policy.

Sean McFate, a authority on private military contractors, urged more caution, stating that "restrictions are needed but not enough for dealing with the growing mercenary trade".

"It operates in the black market and operating from Dubai, which is relatively sanction-proof," he stated. The Emirati government has been widely accused of arming the RSF, claims it rejects. "More contractors from Colombia are likely," the expert cautioned.