🔗 Share this article

The United States has levied restrictions on a network of four people and four firms charged of enlisting former Colombian soldiers to fight for and train a Sudanese paramilitary group that Washington accuses of genocidal acts.

Operation Structure

Revealing the measures on Tuesday, the American treasury stated the operation was primarily made up of Colombian citizens and firms.

Numerous of retired Colombian troops have allegedly journeyed to the Sudanese warzone to operate with the RSF paramilitary group, a faction implicated in severe violations encompassing ethnically targeted slaughter and widespread kidnappings.

Discovery of Participation

The participation of ex-soldiers first came to light last year, prompted by an investigation which found that more than 300 former soldiers had been hired to fight – an revelation that led to an rare mea culpa from the Colombian government.

Former Colombian military have long been considered as among the world’s most sought-after mercenaries due to their vast combat experience gleaned from years of internal conflict, training on advanced weaponry, and superior tactical education.

Role in the Conflict

In Sudan, the Colombians have allegedly instructed child soldiers, provided drone warfare training, and participated in direct battles. A mercenary previously stated that working with child soldiers was "awful and crazy" but noted that "sadly, that is the nature of conflict".

Targeted Persons

Among those targeted was a retired Colombian officer, a individual with dual citizenship and retired Colombian military officer based in the UAE. The government said he had a pivotal function in enlisting and transporting former Colombian soldiers to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Oliveros, was similarly targeted.

Also on the restricted list was Mateo Duque Botero, a dual national who authorities say managed a business linked to processing money and salaries for the network. "Recently, US-based firms connected to Duque engaged in several money transfers, worth millions," the government release stated.

Individual Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the other individual to be sanctioned, with the entity she oversaw alleged to have financial transactions linked to Duque and his operations.

"The United States again calls on external actors to cease providing financial and military support to the belligerents," the department said in a statement.

Expert Analysis

An expert, with the International Crisis Group, called the actions as a "major" milestone, noting that "targeting the enablers is the right way to go".

She added that, Bogotá recently passed a statute ratifying the global treaty against mercenarism, designed to limit years of participation by its nationals in overseas wars and transform its security approach.

Sean McFate, an expert on mercenaries, urged more caution, noting that "sanctions are necessary but insufficient for addressing rampant mercenarism".

"It’s an illicit economy and based out of Dubai, which is largely insulated from sanctions," he stated. The UAE has been widely accused of supplying weapons to the paramilitary group, claims it rejects. "Expect more Colombian mercenaries," he advised.