🔗 Share this article

The Washington has enforced penalties on a group of four individuals and four companies alleged of recruiting former Colombian soldiers to fight for and train a Sudanese paramilitary group which the US alleges of acts of genocide.

Operation Structure

Revealing the restrictions on this week, the American treasury stated the network was primarily made up of Colombian nationals and companies.

Scores of retired Colombian troops have reportedly travelled to Sudan to fight alongside the RSF paramilitary group, a faction linked to severe violations such as ethnically targeted slaughter and mass abductions.

Discovery of Participation

The participation of ex-soldiers first came to light the previous year, prompted by an investigation which revealed that over three hundred retired troops had been contracted to fight – an event that resulted in an unusual statement of regret from Colombia’s foreign ministry.

Former Colombian military have widely regarded as highly prized fighters in conflict zones due to their extensive battlefield experience acquired during a long-running domestic war, knowledge of Nato equipment, and high-level combat training.

Role in the Conflict

In Sudan, the Colombians have reportedly trained underage fighters, provided drone warfare training, and participated in direct battles. An individual involved was quoted as saying that instructing minors was "terrible and insane" but commented that "sadly, that is the nature of conflict".

Targeted Persons

Among those penalized was a dual national, a dual Colombian-Italian national and retired Colombian military officer operating from the Dubai. The Treasury alleged he played a pivotal function in recruiting and deploying mercenaries to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was penalized as well.

Also on the sanctions list was Mateo Duque Botero, a individual with Colombian and Spanish citizenship who authorities say oversaw a company linked to managing finances and payments for the recruitment operation. "Recently, American entities linked to Duque conducted multiple financial transactions, amounting to millions," the Treasury statement said.

Individual Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the other individual to be targeted, with the entity she oversaw accused of money transfers linked to Duque and his businesses.

"The United States again calls on external actors to stop giving financial and military support to the combatants," the agency stated.

Reaction

Elizabeth Dickinson, with the International Crisis Group, described the measures as a "major" milestone, noting that "identifying the recruiters is the right way to go".

She added that, Bogotá has enacted a law approving the global treaty against mercenarism, aiming to curb years of participation by its nationals in international fights and reshape domestic defense strategy.

Another expert, a authority on private military contractors, advised additional measures, saying that "penalties are required yet incomplete for addressing widespread use of contractors".

"It’s an illicit economy and operating from Dubai, which is difficult to penalize," he said. The Emirati government has been frequently alleged of providing arms to the militia, allegations it disputes. "Expect more Colombian mercenaries," McFate warned.