🔗 Share this article

The US government has levied restrictions on a operation of several persons and entities alleged of hiring former Colombian soldiers to fight for and train a Sudanese paramilitary group that Washington accuses of genocidal acts.

Group Makeup

Announcing the sanctions on this week, the US Treasury Department stated the operation was largely composed of Colombian citizens and firms.

Scores of retired Colombian troops have reportedly travelled to the conflict in Sudan to operate with the RSF paramilitary group, a group linked to severe violations encompassing targeted ethnic killings and widespread kidnappings.

Discovery of Participation

The involvement of Colombian fighters first came to light the previous year, after an report which revealed that hundreds of ex-military personnel had been contracted to fight – an event that resulted in an rare mea culpa from officials in Bogotá.

Colombian ex-soldiers have long been considered as some of the most in-demand contractors globally due to their considerable warzone knowledge resulting from decades of civil war, knowledge of Western military gear, and superior tactical education.

Reported Actions

In the Sudanese theater, the contractors have allegedly instructed child soldiers, taught fighters to pilot drones, and participated in direct battles. One source was quoted as saying that working with child soldiers was "horrific and irrational" but noted that "unfortunately that’s how war is".

Named Entities

Among those targeted was a dual national, a individual with dual citizenship and retired Colombian military officer based in the Dubai. The Treasury accused him a key part in hiring and sending former Colombian soldiers to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was also sanctioned.

Also on the restricted list was Duque Botero, a individual with Colombian and Spanish citizenship who officials alleged ran a firm linked to handling funds and payroll for the recruitment operation. "Over the past two years, American entities connected to Duque engaged in multiple financial transactions, totalling millions of US dollars," the official announcement noted.

Citizen of Colombia Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the final person to be targeted, with the company she managed alleged to have financial transactions associated with Duque and his businesses.

"Washington reiterates its demand for foreign parties to halt the flow of funding and arms to the combatants," the department said in a statement.

Analyst Commentary

Elizabeth Dickinson, with the International Crisis Group, called the measures as a "very significant" milestone, stating that "targeting the enablers is the right way to go".

She added that, the Colombian government recently passed a piece of legislation ratifying the International Convention Against the Recruitment and Use of Mercenaries, designed to limit years of participation by its nationals in international fights and change its security approach.

Another expert, a scholar on the subject, called for greater wariness, noting that "restrictions are needed but not enough for dealing with widespread use of contractors".

"It’s an illicit economy and centered in Dubai, which is difficult to penalize," he commented. The UAE has been widely accused of arming the RSF, allegations it disputes. "Expect more Colombian mercenaries," the expert cautioned.