🔗 Share this article

The United States has levied restrictions on a operation of four people and four firms accused of hiring former Colombian soldiers to fight for and train a Sudanese paramilitary group which the US alleges of committing genocide.

Network Composition

Disclosing the restrictions on this week, the US Treasury Department stated the network was primarily made up of individuals and businesses from Colombia.

Numerous of ex-soldiers from Colombia have allegedly journeyed to Sudan to combat beside the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a group accused of horrific war crimes encompassing targeted ethnic killings and widespread kidnappings.

Emergence of Involvement

The involvement of Colombian fighters initially emerged last year, after an investigation which revealed that hundreds of former soldiers had been recruited to fight – an event that led to an unprecedented apology from the Colombian government.

Former Colombian military have long been considered as highly prized fighters in conflict zones due to their considerable warzone knowledge acquired during decades of civil war, training on Western military gear, and superior tactical education.

Role in the Conflict

In Sudan, the Colombians have been accused of teaching minors, taught fighters to pilot drones, and fought directly on the frontlines. A mercenary remarked that working with child soldiers was "terrible and insane" but commented that "regrettably, war operates that way".

Targeted Persons

Among those targeted was a dual national, a dual Colombian-Italian national and former army officer operating from the UAE. The Treasury alleged he played a pivotal function in enlisting and transporting ex-military personnel to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was penalized as well.

Also on the sanctions list was Mateo Andrés Duque Botero, a individual with Colombian and Spanish citizenship who the Treasury stated managed a business accused of processing money and salaries for the recruitment operation. "Recently, companies in the United States connected to Duque conducted numerous wire transfers, amounting to millions," the government release stated.

Citizen of Colombia Mónica Muñoz was the fourth individual to be penalized, with the firm she operated accused of money transfers associated with Duque and his businesses.

"The US once more urges outside forces to halt the flow of monetary and weaponry aid to the combatants," the agency stated.

Reaction

Elizabeth Dickinson, from a conflict think tank, called the sanctions as a "highly important" milestone, stating that "targeting the enablers is the right way to go".

Furthermore, Colombia has enacted a statute endorsing the anti-mercenary convention, aiming to curb years of participation by its nationals in foreign conflicts and reshape its security approach.

Sean McFate, a scholar on the subject, advised additional measures, saying that "penalties are required yet incomplete for dealing with the growing mercenary trade".

"It’s an illicit economy and centered in the Emirates, which is largely insulated from sanctions," he commented. The UAE has been frequently alleged of arming the RSF, allegations it disputes. "More contractors from Colombia are likely," he advised.