🔗 Share this article

The United States has levied restrictions on a group of four individuals and four companies alleged of hiring Colombian mercenaries to fight for and train a militia force in Sudan the United States claims of acts of genocide.

Network Composition

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

Numerous of former Colombian military personnel have allegedly journeyed to Sudan to combat beside the RSF paramilitary group, a group implicated in terrible atrocities such as targeted ethnic killings and large-scale abductions.

Revelation of Role

The role of these mercenaries was first uncovered the previous year, after an investigation which found that over three hundred retired troops had been hired to fight – an event that resulted in an unusual statement of regret from the Colombian government.

These South American veterans have historically been seen as some of the most in-demand contractors globally due to their vast combat experience resulting from decades of civil war, familiarity with advanced weaponry, and elite military instruction.

Role in the Conflict

In Sudan, the contractors have been accused of teaching minors, provided drone warfare training, and engaged in frontline combat. A mercenary previously stated that instructing minors was "terrible and insane" but noted that "sadly, that is the nature of conflict".

Sanctioned Individuals

Among those sanctioned was a retired Colombian officer, a individual with dual citizenship and ex-soldier based in the United Arab Emirates. The government alleged he played a central role in enlisting and transporting mercenaries to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was similarly targeted.

Also on the restricted list was Mateo Andrés Duque Botero, a individual with Colombian and Spanish citizenship who officials alleged managed a business accused of managing finances and payments for the network. "Over the past two years, US-based firms linked to Duque carried out numerous wire transfers, amounting to millions," the official announcement stated.

Colombian national Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the final person to be penalized, with the firm she operated accused of money transfers linked to Duque and his companies.

"Washington reiterates its demand for foreign parties to stop giving monetary and weaponry aid to the belligerents," the department stated.

Reaction

A senior analyst, with the International Crisis Group, described the sanctions as a "major" milestone, noting that "targeting the enablers is the correct approach".

It was also noted that, Bogotá recently passed a law endorsing the International Convention Against the Recruitment and Use of Mercenaries, aiming to curb decades of Colombian involvement in overseas wars and reshape domestic defense strategy.

Sean McFate, a scholar on the subject, urged more caution, noting that "restrictions are needed but not enough for combating widespread use of contractors".

"It operates in the black market and based out of Dubai, which is largely insulated from sanctions," he commented. The UAE has been widely accused of providing arms to the militia, an accusation it has denied. "Expect more Colombian mercenaries," the expert cautioned.