🔗 Share this article

The US government has imposed sanctions on a group of several persons and entities charged of enlisting South American contractors to combat alongside and instruct a Sudanese paramilitary group the United States claims of committing genocide.

Network Composition

Disclosing the measures on this week, the US Treasury Department stated the network was largely composed of Colombian nationals and companies.

Hundreds of ex-soldiers from Colombia have been recruited to go to the conflict in Sudan to combat beside the Sudanese RSF militia, a force accused of terrible atrocities including targeted ethnic killings and mass abductions.

Discovery of Participation

The involvement of Colombian fighters initially emerged the previous year, following an report which found that more than 300 ex-military personnel had been recruited to engage in combat – an event that resulted in an unusual statement of regret from Colombia’s foreign ministry.

Colombian ex-soldiers have widely regarded as some of the most in-demand contractors globally due to their vast combat experience acquired during a long-running domestic war, knowledge of advanced weaponry, and superior tactical education.

Reported Actions

In the Sudanese theater, the contractors have been accused of teaching minors, instructed militiamen in drone operation, and fought directly on the frontlines. One source remarked that working with child soldiers was "horrific and irrational" but commented that "unfortunately that’s how war is".

Sanctioned Individuals

Among those targeted was Álvaro Andrés Quijano Becerra, a citizen of both Colombia and Italy and retired Colombian military officer based in the UAE. The Treasury said he had a central role in hiring and sending mercenaries to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Oliveros, was penalized as well.

Also on the penalty list was Mateo Andrés Duque Botero, a dual Colombian-Spanish citizen who authorities say oversaw a company accused of handling funds and payroll for the recruitment operation. "Over the past two years, US-based firms associated with Duque conducted multiple financial transactions, worth millions," the Treasury statement stated.

Individual Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the final person to be targeted, with the firm she operated alleged to have financial transactions associated with Duque and his companies.

"Washington reiterates its demand for foreign parties to cease providing financial and military support to the warring parties," the agency said in a statement.

Analyst Commentary

An expert, senior analyst at the International Crisis Group, called the actions as a "highly important" milestone, stating that "identifying the recruiters is the correct approach".

She added that, Bogotá ratified a law approving the International Convention Against the Recruitment and Use of Mercenaries, designed to limit years of participation by its nationals in overseas wars and reshape national security policy.

A mercenary specialist, an expert on mercenaries, advised additional measures, stating that "sanctions are necessary but insufficient for combating rampant mercenarism".

"It’s an illicit economy and operating from the UAE, which is largely insulated from sanctions," he stated. The United Arab Emirates has been widely accused of providing arms to the militia, allegations it disputes. "More contractors from Colombia are likely," he advised.