🔗 Share this article

The US government has enforced penalties on a network of several persons and entities alleged of enlisting former Colombian soldiers to support and educate a Sudanese paramilitary group the United States claims of committing genocide.

Operation Structure

Disclosing the restrictions on Tuesday, the Treasury stated the network was primarily made up of Colombian citizens and firms.

Numerous of retired Colombian troops have allegedly journeyed to Sudan to operate with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a force accused of horrific war crimes such as targeted ethnic killings and large-scale abductions.

Revelation of Role

The involvement of Colombian fighters was first uncovered in 2024, prompted by an report which found that more than 300 ex-military personnel had been contracted to fight – an discovery that resulted in an unprecedented apology from officials in Bogotá.

Former Colombian military have long been considered as among the world’s most sought-after mercenaries due to their extensive battlefield experience gleaned from a long-running domestic war, training on Western military gear, and superior tactical education.

Role in the Conflict

In the Sudanese theater, the contractors have been accused of teaching underage fighters, provided drone warfare training, and engaged in frontline combat. One source previously stated that training children was "terrible and insane" but commented that "regrettably, war operates that way".

Sanctioned Individuals

Among those sanctioned was a retired Colombian officer, a citizen of both Colombia and Italy and former army officer operating from the UAE. The government accused him a central role in recruiting and deploying mercenaries to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Oliveros, was similarly targeted.

Also on the sanctions list was Duque Botero, a dual Colombian-Spanish citizen who the Treasury stated managed a business implicated in handling funds and payroll for the network. "Over the past two years, US-based firms associated with Duque engaged in several money transfers, worth millions," the Treasury statement stated.

Colombian national Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the fourth individual to be penalized, with the firm she operated alleged to have wire transfers connected to Duque and his operations.

"Washington reiterates its demand for outside forces to halt the flow of financial and military support to the belligerents," the Treasury announced.

Reaction

Elizabeth Dickinson, senior analyst at the International Crisis Group, labeled the measures as a "very significant" development, stating that "targeting the enablers is the correct approach".

It was also noted that, Colombia has enacted a piece of legislation endorsing the International Convention Against the Recruitment and Use of Mercenaries, seeking to reduce its citizens' long history in overseas wars and change domestic defense strategy.

A mercenary specialist, a authority on private military contractors, called for greater wariness, noting that "sanctions are necessary but insufficient for addressing widespread use of contractors".

"It’s an illicit economy and centered in the Emirates, which is difficult to penalize," he said. The UAE has been repeatedly implicated of arming the RSF, allegations it disputes. "Expect more Colombian mercenaries," McFate warned.