🔗 Share this article

The US government has imposed sanctions on a operation of four individuals and four companies alleged of enlisting Colombian mercenaries to combat alongside and instruct a Sudanese paramilitary group which the US alleges of genocidal acts.

Group Makeup

Announcing the measures on Tuesday, the Treasury stated the operation was largely composed of Colombian citizens and firms.

Numerous of retired Colombian troops have allegedly journeyed to Sudan to fight alongside the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a faction implicated in severe violations such as massacres based on ethnicity and widespread kidnappings.

Discovery of Participation

The role of these mercenaries was first uncovered in 2024, following an inquiry which revealed that over three hundred ex-military personnel had been recruited to participate in the war – an revelation that led to an rare mea culpa from the Colombian government.

Former Colombian military have long been considered as among the world’s most sought-after mercenaries due to their extensive battlefield experience acquired during decades of civil war, familiarity with Nato equipment, and superior tactical education.

Activities in Sudan

In the Sudanese theater, the Colombians have been accused of teaching underage fighters, provided drone warfare training, and fought directly on the frontlines. One source remarked that training children was "terrible and insane" but added that "sadly, that is the nature of conflict".

Targeted Persons

Among those penalized was a retired Colombian officer, a individual with dual citizenship and ex-soldier operating from the Dubai. The government alleged he played a key part in recruiting and deploying mercenaries to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was penalized as well.

Also on the restricted list was Mateo Duque Botero, a individual with Colombian and Spanish citizenship who authorities say managed a business linked to processing money and salaries for the network. "Recently, US-based firms connected to Duque carried out numerous wire transfers, amounting to millions," the government release said.

Individual Mónica Muñoz was the final person to be penalized, with the firm she operated accused of money transfers linked to Duque and his operations.

"Washington reiterates its demand for foreign parties to cease providing monetary and weaponry aid to the belligerents," the agency announced.

Expert Analysis

Elizabeth Dickinson, from a conflict think tank, labeled the sanctions as a "highly important" development, stating that "calling out those who are doing the contracting is the right way to go".

She added that, Bogotá ratified a law ratifying the global treaty against mercenarism, aiming to curb its citizens' long history in international fights and reshape national security policy.

Another expert, a authority on private military contractors, advised additional measures, noting that "sanctions are necessary but insufficient for dealing with widespread use of contractors".

"It operates in the black market and centered in Dubai, which is relatively sanction-proof," he stated. The UAE has been widely accused of supplying weapons to the paramilitary group, an accusation it has denied. "Expect more Colombian mercenaries," McFate warned.