🔗 Share this article

The US government has levied restrictions on a network of four individuals and four companies accused of hiring South American contractors to combat alongside and instruct a armed faction in Sudan the United States claims of genocidal acts.

Operation Structure

Disclosing the measures on Tuesday, the American treasury stated the scheme was largely composed of Colombian nationals and companies.

Hundreds of former Colombian military personnel have been recruited to go to the conflict in Sudan to combat beside the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a faction implicated in severe violations encompassing targeted ethnic killings and mass abductions.

Discovery of Participation

The participation of ex-soldiers initially emerged last year, prompted by an inquiry which revealed that over three hundred ex-military personnel had been contracted to fight – an discovery that led to an unprecedented apology from the Colombian government.

These South American veterans have long been considered as among the world’s most sought-after mercenaries due to their vast combat experience resulting from decades of civil war, training on Nato equipment, and elite military instruction.

Activities in Sudan

In the Sudanese theater, the contractors have reportedly trained underage fighters, instructed militiamen in drone operation, and fought directly on the frontlines. A mercenary previously stated that working with child soldiers was "awful and crazy" but added that "unfortunately that’s how war is".

Named Entities

Among those penalized was a retired Colombian officer, a individual with dual citizenship and ex-soldier based in the UAE. The US authorities said he had a pivotal function in hiring and sending mercenaries to Sudan. His spouse, 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 officials alleged managed a business linked to managing finances and payments for the recruitment operation. "Recently, American entities linked to Duque engaged in several money transfers, worth millions," the government release said.

Colombian national Mónica Muñoz was the final person to be penalized, with the entity she oversaw accused of financial transactions linked to Duque and his companies.

"The US once more urges outside forces to stop giving funding and arms to the belligerents," the Treasury said in a statement.

Reaction

A senior analyst, senior analyst at the International Crisis Group, labeled the sanctions as a "very significant" milestone, stating that "targeting the enablers is the proper strategy".

She added that, Colombia has enacted a statute ratifying the International Convention Against the Recruitment and Use of Mercenaries, designed to limit its citizens' long history in overseas wars and change national security policy.

Sean McFate, a authority on private military contractors, urged more caution, saying that "sanctions are necessary but insufficient for dealing with the growing mercenary trade".

"This is a shadow economy and operating from the UAE, which is largely insulated from sanctions," he said. The United Arab Emirates has been widely accused of providing arms to the militia, claims it rejects. "Expect more Colombian mercenaries," McFate warned.