🔗 Share this article

The United States has enforced penalties on a group of four people and four firms accused of hiring Colombian mercenaries to combat alongside and instruct a militia force in Sudan that Washington accuses of committing genocide.

Group Makeup

Disclosing the sanctions on Tuesday, the Treasury stated the network was primarily made up of Colombian citizens and firms.

Numerous of former Colombian military personnel have reportedly travelled to the conflict in Sudan to fight alongside the Sudanese RSF militia, a faction implicated in severe violations such as targeted ethnic killings and widespread kidnappings.

Revelation of Role

The participation of ex-soldiers initially emerged last year, after an inquiry which disclosed that more than 300 ex-military personnel had been recruited to fight – an event that resulted in an unusual statement of regret from Colombia’s foreign ministry.

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 Western military gear, and high-level combat training.

Activities in Sudan

In Sudan, the Colombians have allegedly instructed underage fighters, taught fighters to pilot drones, and engaged in frontline combat. One source previously stated that training children was "horrific and irrational" but commented that "sadly, that is the nature of conflict".

Sanctioned Individuals

Among those penalized was a retired Colombian officer, a dual Colombian-Italian national and ex-soldier located in the United Arab Emirates. The US authorities said he had a key part in recruiting and deploying mercenaries to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was penalized as well.

Also on the penalty list was Duque Botero, a individual with Colombian and Spanish citizenship who the Treasury stated ran a firm linked to handling funds and payroll for the recruitment operation. "Recently, companies in the United States associated with Duque conducted multiple financial transactions, amounting to millions," the official announcement noted.

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

"The US once more urges outside forces to cease providing funding and arms to the warring parties," the department stated.

Analyst Commentary

A senior analyst, from a conflict think tank, called the measures as a "very significant" milestone, noting that "calling out those who are doing the contracting is the right way to go".

It was also noted that, the Colombian government ratified a law approving the anti-mercenary convention, aiming to curb its citizens' long history in international fights and reshape domestic defense strategy.

Sean McFate, an expert on mercenaries, called for greater wariness, saying that "penalties are required yet incomplete for dealing with the growing mercenary trade".

"It’s an illicit economy and based out of Dubai, which is difficult to penalize," he said. The United Arab Emirates has been widely accused of providing arms to the militia, an accusation it has denied. "This trend will probably continue," he advised.