🔗 Share this article

The Washington has levied restrictions on a network of four people and four firms accused of hiring Colombian mercenaries to support and educate a Sudanese paramilitary group that Washington accuses of genocidal acts.

Network Composition

Revealing the restrictions on this week, the US Treasury Department stated the scheme was mostly comprised of individuals and businesses from Colombia.

Numerous of former Colombian military personnel have allegedly journeyed to Sudan to fight alongside the Sudanese RSF militia, a faction implicated in terrible atrocities such as targeted ethnic killings and widespread kidnappings.

Emergence of Involvement

The involvement of Colombian fighters initially emerged in 2024, prompted by an investigation which disclosed that over three hundred retired troops had been hired to engage in combat – an event that resulted in an rare mea culpa from the Colombian government.

Colombian ex-soldiers have historically been seen as highly prized fighters in conflict zones due to their vast combat experience resulting from years of internal conflict, knowledge of Nato equipment, and high-level combat training.

Activities in Sudan

In the conflict, the Colombians have reportedly trained underage fighters, taught fighters to pilot drones, and engaged in frontline combat. An individual involved was quoted as saying that working with child soldiers was "terrible and insane" but noted that "regrettably, war operates that way".

Named Entities

Among those targeted was a retired Colombian officer, a individual with dual citizenship and former army officer based in the United Arab Emirates. The Treasury alleged he played a central role in hiring and sending mercenaries to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was similarly targeted.

Also on the penalty list was Mateo Andrés Duque Botero, a individual with Colombian and Spanish citizenship who officials alleged managed a business linked to processing money and salaries for the scheme. "Over the past two years, companies in the United States connected to Duque conducted multiple financial transactions, worth millions," the Treasury statement said.

Colombian national Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the fourth individual to be sanctioned, with the firm she operated alleged to have financial transactions connected to Duque and his businesses.

"Washington reiterates its demand for external actors to cease providing financial and military support to the warring parties," the Treasury said in a statement.

Analyst Commentary

An expert, with the International Crisis Group, described the measures as a "major" step, stating that "targeting the enablers is the right way to go".

Furthermore, Bogotá has enacted a law approving the International Convention Against the Recruitment and Use of Mercenaries, aiming to curb years of participation by its nationals in international fights and reshape domestic defense strategy.

Sean McFate, a authority on private military contractors, urged more caution, stating that "restrictions are needed but not enough for dealing with widespread use of contractors".

"It operates in the black market and centered in the Emirates, which is largely insulated from sanctions," he stated. The Emirati government has been frequently alleged of providing arms to the militia, an accusation it has denied. "Expect more Colombian mercenaries," McFate warned.