🔗 Share this article

The United States has enforced penalties on a group of several persons and entities alleged of recruiting Colombian mercenaries to fight for and train a militia force in Sudan which the US alleges of acts of genocide.

Group Makeup

Announcing the measures on this week, the Treasury stated the operation was primarily made up of Colombian citizens and firms.

Hundreds of former Colombian military personnel have been recruited to go to the Sudanese warzone to operate with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a group linked to severe violations including ethnically targeted slaughter and large-scale abductions.

Revelation of Role

The role of these mercenaries was first uncovered the previous year, prompted by an investigation which disclosed that more than 300 former soldiers had been recruited to engage in combat – an discovery that resulted in an unprecedented apology from the Colombian government.

These South American veterans have widely regarded as highly prized fighters in conflict zones due to their considerable warzone knowledge resulting from a long-running domestic war, familiarity with Western military gear, and superior tactical education.

Role in the Conflict

In Sudan, the contractors have allegedly instructed child soldiers, instructed militiamen in drone operation, and fought directly on the frontlines. A mercenary was quoted as saying that training children was "horrific and irrational" but commented that "unfortunately that’s how war is".

Targeted Persons

Among those sanctioned was a retired Colombian officer, a citizen of both Colombia and Italy and ex-soldier based in the Dubai. The US authorities said he had a central role in recruiting and deploying ex-military personnel to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was also sanctioned.

Also on the penalty list was Mateo Andrés Duque Botero, a dual Colombian-Spanish citizen who officials alleged ran a firm accused of processing money and salaries for the scheme. "Recently, companies in the United States connected to Duque engaged in several money transfers, worth millions," the government release noted.

Individual Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the other individual to be penalized, with the entity she oversaw said to have conducted money transfers associated with Duque and his operations.

"The US once more urges outside forces to halt the flow of financial and military support to the combatants," the department announced.

Analyst Commentary

A senior analyst, from a conflict think tank, labeled the measures as a "major" development, stating that "targeting the enablers is the right way to go".

She added that, the Colombian government has enacted a law endorsing the global treaty against mercenarism, seeking to reduce years of participation by its nationals in international fights and change its security approach.

Sean McFate, a scholar on the subject, called for greater wariness, noting that "sanctions are necessary but insufficient for addressing the growing mercenary trade".

"This is a shadow economy and based out of Dubai, which is largely insulated from sanctions," he said. The United Arab Emirates has been frequently alleged of providing arms to the militia, an accusation it has denied. "Expect more Colombian mercenaries," the expert cautioned.