🔗 Share this article

The Washington has imposed sanctions on a operation of several persons and entities accused of hiring South American contractors to fight for and train a Sudanese paramilitary group which the US alleges of genocidal acts.

Group Makeup

Revealing the sanctions on Tuesday, the Treasury stated the network was largely composed of individuals and businesses from Colombia.

Scores of former Colombian military personnel have reportedly travelled to the Sudanese warzone to operate with the RSF paramilitary group, a faction implicated in severe violations including ethnically targeted slaughter and large-scale abductions.

Discovery of Participation

The participation of ex-soldiers was first uncovered in 2024, prompted by an report which disclosed that more than 300 retired troops had been recruited to participate in the war – an discovery that resulted in an rare mea culpa from the Colombian government.

Former Colombian military have long been considered as highly prized fighters in conflict zones due to their vast combat experience acquired during decades of civil war, knowledge of Nato equipment, and high-level combat training.

Reported Actions

In the conflict, the contractors have reportedly trained minors, instructed militiamen in drone operation, and fought directly on the frontlines. One source previously stated that instructing minors was "horrific and irrational" but added that "sadly, that is the nature of conflict".

Named Entities

Among those penalized was a retired Colombian officer, a citizen of both Colombia and Italy and retired Colombian military officer operating from the UAE. The government accused him a central role in recruiting and deploying ex-military personnel to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Oliveros, was also sanctioned.

Also on the sanctions list was Mateo Andrés Duque Botero, a individual with Colombian and Spanish citizenship who authorities say oversaw a company linked to handling funds and payroll for the network. "Recently, American entities associated with Duque engaged in numerous wire transfers, worth millions," the official announcement stated.

Citizen of Colombia Mónica Muñoz was the fourth individual to be targeted, with the firm she operated alleged to have money transfers associated with Duque and his companies.

"Washington reiterates its demand for foreign parties to stop giving monetary and weaponry aid to the belligerents," the Treasury stated.

Expert Analysis

Elizabeth Dickinson, from a conflict think tank, called the measures as a "very significant" milestone, saying that "identifying the recruiters is the proper strategy".

She added that, the Colombian government ratified a statute ratifying the International Convention Against the Recruitment and Use of Mercenaries, seeking to reduce its citizens' long history in foreign conflicts and reshape domestic defense strategy.

Another expert, a authority on private military contractors, 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 UAE, which is largely insulated from sanctions," he commented. The UAE has been repeatedly implicated of arming the RSF, allegations it disputes. "More contractors from Colombia are likely," he advised.