🔗 Share this article

The US government has enforced penalties on a operation of several persons and entities alleged of hiring former Colombian soldiers to support and educate a armed faction in Sudan which the US alleges of genocidal acts.

Network Composition

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

Hundreds of former Colombian military personnel have been recruited to go to the conflict in Sudan to operate with the RSF paramilitary group, a force accused of terrible atrocities such as targeted ethnic killings and large-scale abductions.

Discovery of Participation

The participation of ex-soldiers first came to light last year, after an report which found that more than 300 ex-military personnel had been recruited to fight – an revelation that resulted in an unprecedented apology from the Colombian government.

Former Colombian military have widely regarded as among the world’s most sought-after mercenaries due to their extensive battlefield experience acquired during years of internal conflict, training on Nato equipment, and high-level combat training.

Role in the Conflict

In the Sudanese theater, the mercenaries have been accused of teaching child soldiers, taught fighters to pilot drones, and participated in direct battles. A mercenary remarked that instructing minors was "terrible and insane" but noted that "unfortunately that’s how war is".

Sanctioned Individuals

Among those penalized was Álvaro Andrés Quijano Becerra, a citizen of both Colombia and Italy and ex-soldier located in the Dubai. The government alleged he played a key part in enlisting and transporting mercenaries to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Oliveros, was penalized as well.

Also on the sanctions list was Duque Botero, a dual national who the Treasury stated ran a firm implicated in processing money and salaries for the network. "Recently, American entities connected to Duque carried out numerous wire transfers, worth millions," the government release stated.

Colombian national Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the final person to be targeted, with the firm she operated accused of wire transfers connected to Duque and his operations.

"The US once more urges external actors to halt the flow of funding and arms to the combatants," the department announced.

Analyst Commentary

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

Furthermore, the Colombian government recently passed a statute approving the global treaty against mercenarism, designed to limit decades of Colombian involvement in overseas wars and reshape domestic defense strategy.

Sean McFate, a authority on private military contractors, called for greater wariness, stating that "penalties are required yet incomplete for combating the growing mercenary trade".

"It operates in the black market and operating from the Emirates, which is relatively sanction-proof," he stated. The United Arab Emirates has been frequently alleged of supplying weapons to the paramilitary group, an accusation it has denied. "This trend will probably continue," McFate warned.