🔗 Share this article

The Washington has imposed sanctions on a operation of four individuals and four companies alleged of hiring Colombian mercenaries to support and educate a militia force in Sudan the United States claims of committing genocide.

Operation Structure

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

Hundreds of retired Colombian troops have been recruited to go to the Sudanese warzone 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 last year, prompted by an report which disclosed that hundreds of ex-military personnel had been recruited to participate in the war – an discovery that resulted in an unprecedented apology from the Colombian government.

Former Colombian military have historically been seen as some of the most in-demand contractors globally due to their extensive battlefield experience gleaned from years of internal conflict, knowledge of Nato equipment, and superior tactical education.

Reported Actions

In the Sudanese theater, the contractors have allegedly instructed child soldiers, provided drone warfare training, and participated in direct battles. A mercenary previously stated that working with child soldiers was "horrific and irrational" but commented that "regrettably, war operates that way".

Sanctioned Individuals

Among those targeted was Álvaro Andrés Quijano Becerra, a dual Colombian-Italian national and retired Colombian military officer operating from the UAE. The Treasury said he had a pivotal function in hiring and sending mercenaries to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was also sanctioned.

Also on the restricted list was Duque Botero, a dual Colombian-Spanish citizen who authorities say managed a business linked to processing money and salaries for the recruitment operation. "Over the past two years, companies in the United States linked to Duque conducted multiple financial transactions, worth millions," the Treasury statement noted.

Colombian national Mónica Muñoz was the other individual to be penalized, with the company she managed alleged to have money transfers linked to Duque and his operations.

"The US once more urges foreign parties to stop giving monetary and weaponry aid to the warring parties," the agency stated.

Reaction

An expert, senior analyst at the International Crisis Group, described the measures as a "very significant" milestone, stating that "targeting the enablers is the correct approach".

She added that, Colombia recently passed a statute endorsing the International Convention Against the Recruitment and Use of Mercenaries, seeking to reduce its citizens' long history in overseas wars and reshape its security approach.

Sean McFate, a scholar on the subject, advised additional measures, noting that "restrictions are needed but not enough for combating the growing mercenary trade".

"This is a shadow economy and centered in Dubai, which is difficult to penalize," he stated. The UAE has been repeatedly implicated of arming the RSF, claims it rejects. "More contractors from Colombia are likely," the expert cautioned.