🔗 Share this article

The United States has imposed sanctions on a operation of four people and four firms alleged of recruiting Colombian mercenaries to fight for and train a militia force in Sudan which the US alleges of committing genocide.

Group Makeup

Announcing the measures on this week, the American treasury stated the network was primarily made up of Colombian nationals and companies.

Hundreds of retired Colombian troops have allegedly journeyed to Sudan to fight alongside the Sudanese RSF militia, a group implicated in horrific war crimes including ethnically targeted slaughter and large-scale abductions.

Emergence of Involvement

The involvement of Colombian fighters was first uncovered the previous year, after an inquiry which found that over three hundred retired troops had been hired to fight – an event that resulted in an unusual statement of regret from officials in Bogotá.

These South American veterans have widely regarded 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.

Activities in Sudan

In the Sudanese theater, the contractors have allegedly instructed child soldiers, instructed militiamen in drone operation, and engaged in frontline combat. A mercenary previously stated that training children was "awful and crazy" but commented that "unfortunately that’s how war is".

Targeted Persons

Among those sanctioned was Álvaro Andrés Quijano Becerra, a citizen of both Colombia and Italy and former army officer based in the United Arab Emirates. The US authorities accused him a key part in hiring and sending ex-military personnel to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was similarly targeted.

Also on the restricted list was Mateo Duque Botero, a dual national who authorities say oversaw a company accused of processing money and salaries for the network. "Over the past two years, American entities linked to Duque conducted multiple financial transactions, worth millions," the official announcement noted.

Colombian national Mónica Muñoz was the fourth individual to be targeted, with the company she managed alleged to have financial transactions connected to Duque and his businesses.

"The US once more urges foreign parties to stop giving funding and arms to the warring parties," the department announced.

Analyst Commentary

An expert, from a conflict think tank, labeled the actions as a "very significant" step, stating that "calling out those who are doing the contracting is the proper strategy".

She added that, Bogotá ratified a statute ratifying the anti-mercenary convention, aiming to curb decades of Colombian involvement in international fights and change national security policy.

Another expert, an expert on mercenaries, advised additional measures, noting that "penalties are required yet incomplete for addressing 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 frequently alleged of providing arms to the militia, claims it rejects. "Expect more Colombian mercenaries," McFate warned.