🔗 Share this article

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

Operation Structure

Disclosing the measures on this week, the Treasury stated the operation was primarily made up of individuals and businesses from Colombia.

Hundreds of former Colombian military personnel have been recruited to go to the Sudanese warzone to operate with the Sudanese RSF militia, a force implicated in terrible atrocities such as targeted ethnic killings and mass abductions.

Revelation of Role

The role of these mercenaries was first uncovered in 2024, prompted by an report which found that more than 300 former soldiers had been hired to fight – an discovery that led to an unprecedented apology from the Colombian government.

Former Colombian military have widely regarded as some of the most in-demand contractors globally due to their vast combat experience gleaned from years of internal conflict, training on advanced weaponry, and superior tactical education.

Reported Actions

In the conflict, the contractors have reportedly trained minors, taught fighters to pilot drones, and participated in direct battles. An individual involved remarked that working with child soldiers was "terrible and insane" but commented that "unfortunately that’s how war is".

Targeted Persons

Among those penalized was a retired Colombian officer, a dual Colombian-Italian national and ex-soldier located in the UAE. The government said he had a central role in enlisting and transporting mercenaries to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Oliveros, was also sanctioned.

Also on the restricted list was Duque Botero, a individual with Colombian and Spanish citizenship who officials alleged oversaw a company linked to handling funds and payroll for the scheme. "Recently, companies in the United States linked to Duque carried out multiple financial transactions, amounting to millions," the government release said.

Individual Mónica Muñoz was the other individual to be targeted, with the firm she operated accused of financial transactions connected to Duque and his businesses.

"The US once more urges external actors to cease providing funding and arms to the warring parties," the department stated.

Analyst Commentary

A senior analyst, senior analyst at the International Crisis Group, described the sanctions as a "highly important" step, noting that "identifying the recruiters is the correct approach".

Furthermore, the Colombian government has enacted a piece of legislation endorsing the anti-mercenary convention, seeking to reduce decades of Colombian involvement in international fights and reshape national security policy.

Another expert, a scholar on the subject, advised additional measures, saying that "penalties are required yet incomplete for dealing with widespread use of contractors".

"This is a shadow economy and centered in the UAE, which is largely insulated from sanctions," he stated. The United Arab Emirates has been repeatedly implicated of arming the RSF, claims it rejects. "More contractors from Colombia are likely," he advised.