🔗 Share this article

The Washington has levied restrictions on a operation of several persons and entities charged of hiring former Colombian soldiers to fight for and train a Sudanese paramilitary group which the US alleges of committing genocide.

Operation Structure

Announcing the restrictions on this week, the American treasury stated the scheme was primarily made up of Colombian citizens and firms.

Numerous of ex-soldiers from Colombia have reportedly travelled to the Sudanese warzone to fight alongside the Sudanese RSF militia, a force accused of severe violations encompassing targeted ethnic killings and large-scale abductions.

Emergence of Involvement

The role of these mercenaries first came to light the previous year, prompted by an inquiry which revealed that over three hundred retired troops had been contracted to engage in combat – an event that prompted an unusual statement of regret from Colombia’s foreign ministry.

Former Colombian military have long been considered as some of the most in-demand contractors globally due to their vast combat experience acquired during years of internal conflict, training on advanced weaponry, and elite military instruction.

Reported Actions

In Sudan, the Colombians have reportedly trained minors, provided drone warfare training, and participated in direct battles. An individual involved previously stated that training children was "horrific and irrational" but added that "regrettably, war operates that way".

Targeted Persons

Among those targeted was a dual national, a individual with dual citizenship and ex-soldier based in the UAE. The Treasury alleged he played a pivotal function in hiring and sending former Colombian soldiers to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was also sanctioned.

Also on the penalty list was Mateo Andrés Duque Botero, a individual with Colombian and Spanish citizenship who authorities say oversaw a company implicated in managing finances and payments for the recruitment operation. "Over the past two years, US-based firms connected to Duque engaged in numerous wire transfers, amounting to millions," the Treasury statement noted.

Citizen of Colombia Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the other individual to be sanctioned, with the entity she oversaw accused of financial transactions associated with Duque and his operations.

"Washington reiterates its demand for foreign parties to halt the flow of financial and military support to the belligerents," the Treasury stated.

Expert Analysis

A senior analyst, from a conflict think tank, labeled the actions as a "highly important" milestone, noting that "identifying the recruiters is the right way to go".

It was also noted that, the Colombian government ratified a statute endorsing the global treaty against mercenarism, seeking to reduce its citizens' long history in overseas wars and transform its security approach.

A mercenary specialist, a authority on private military contractors, advised additional measures, noting that "restrictions are needed but not enough for combating widespread use of contractors".

"This is a shadow economy and operating from the Emirates, which is relatively sanction-proof," he stated. The United Arab Emirates has been repeatedly implicated of arming the RSF, claims it rejects. "Expect more Colombian mercenaries," the expert cautioned.