🔗 Share this article

The US government has enforced penalties on a network of four individuals and four companies charged of enlisting South American contractors to fight for and train a militia force in Sudan that Washington accuses of genocidal acts.

Group Makeup

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

Scores of ex-soldiers from Colombia have allegedly journeyed to Sudan to operate with the RSF paramilitary group, a faction implicated in terrible atrocities encompassing ethnically targeted slaughter and widespread kidnappings.

Emergence of Involvement

The role of these mercenaries first came to light last year, prompted by an inquiry which disclosed that over three hundred retired troops had been contracted to participate in the war – an event that prompted an rare mea culpa from Colombia’s foreign ministry.

These South American veterans have historically been seen as some of the most in-demand contractors globally due to their extensive battlefield experience gleaned from decades of civil war, training on Western military gear, and high-level combat training.

Role in the Conflict

In the Sudanese theater, the Colombians have reportedly trained underage fighters, taught fighters to pilot drones, and participated in direct battles. One source previously stated that instructing minors was "awful and crazy" but commented that "sadly, that is the nature of conflict".

Named Entities

Among those sanctioned was Álvaro Andrés Quijano Becerra, a dual Colombian-Italian national and retired Colombian military officer based in the UAE. The Treasury alleged he played a pivotal function in hiring and sending former Colombian soldiers to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was similarly targeted.

Also on the penalty list was Duque Botero, a dual Colombian-Spanish citizen who the Treasury stated managed a business linked to managing finances and payments for the network. "Over the past two years, companies in the United States connected to Duque carried out numerous wire transfers, worth millions," the official announcement said.

Individual Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the final person to be targeted, with the entity she oversaw alleged to have financial transactions connected to Duque and his operations.

"The US once more urges external actors to cease providing funding and arms to the combatants," the agency stated.

Expert Analysis

Elizabeth Dickinson, senior analyst at the International Crisis Group, labeled the actions as a "very significant" step, noting that "identifying the recruiters is the right way to go".

It was also noted that, Colombia ratified a law approving the International Convention Against the Recruitment and Use of Mercenaries, seeking to reduce decades of Colombian involvement in international fights and reshape its security approach.

Sean McFate, a authority on private military contractors, called for greater wariness, stating that "sanctions are necessary but insufficient for combating rampant mercenarism".

"This is a shadow economy and centered in Dubai, which is relatively sanction-proof," he commented. The United Arab Emirates has been frequently alleged of supplying weapons to the paramilitary group, allegations it disputes. "More contractors from Colombia are likely," he advised.