🔗 Share this article

The Washington has levied restrictions on a group of four people and four firms alleged of enlisting Colombian mercenaries to fight for and train a Sudanese paramilitary group that Washington accuses of acts of genocide.

Group Makeup

Announcing the sanctions on this week, the Treasury stated the network was mostly comprised of Colombian citizens and firms.

Scores of former Colombian military personnel have reportedly travelled to the Sudanese warzone to fight alongside the Sudanese RSF militia, a force implicated in severe violations including targeted ethnic killings and widespread kidnappings.

Discovery of Participation

The involvement of Colombian fighters initially emerged last year, after an report which found that more than 300 former soldiers had been hired to engage in combat – an event that prompted an unprecedented apology from Colombia’s foreign ministry.

Former Colombian military have historically been seen as among the world’s most sought-after mercenaries due to their vast combat experience acquired during years of internal conflict, familiarity with advanced weaponry, and superior tactical education.

Activities in Sudan

In the Sudanese theater, the contractors have reportedly trained underage fighters, taught fighters to pilot drones, and participated in direct battles. An individual involved was quoted as saying that training children was "awful and crazy" but noted that "regrettably, war operates that way".

Sanctioned Individuals

Among those targeted was Álvaro Andrés Quijano Becerra, a citizen of both Colombia and Italy and former army officer operating from the Dubai. The Treasury alleged he played a central role in enlisting and transporting former Colombian soldiers to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Oliveros, was also sanctioned.

Also on the restricted list was Duque Botero, a dual Colombian-Spanish citizen who authorities say oversaw a company implicated in handling funds and payroll for the scheme. "Over the past two years, American entities associated with Duque engaged in several money transfers, worth millions," the government release stated.

Colombian national Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the other individual to be sanctioned, with the firm she operated accused of wire transfers associated with Duque and his businesses.

"The US once more urges outside forces to cease providing monetary and weaponry aid to the warring parties," the Treasury announced.

Expert Analysis

An expert, senior analyst at the International Crisis Group, labeled the sanctions as a "very significant" development, noting that "targeting the enablers is the correct approach".

She added that, Colombia has enacted a piece of legislation ratifying the global treaty against mercenarism, aiming to curb years of participation by its nationals in overseas wars and transform national security policy.

Another expert, a authority on private military contractors, called for greater wariness, saying that "sanctions are necessary but insufficient for dealing with widespread use of contractors".

"This is a shadow economy and operating from the Emirates, which is largely insulated from sanctions," he stated. The UAE has been frequently alleged of providing arms to the militia, allegations it disputes. "This trend will probably continue," he advised.