🔗 Share this article

The Washington has imposed sanctions on a operation of several persons and entities alleged of enlisting Colombian mercenaries to fight for and train a militia force in Sudan that Washington accuses of acts of genocide.

Network Composition

Announcing the measures on Tuesday, the US Treasury Department stated the network was mostly comprised of Colombian citizens and firms.

Hundreds of retired Colombian troops have reportedly travelled to the Sudanese warzone to fight alongside the Sudanese RSF militia, a group implicated in horrific war crimes encompassing ethnically targeted slaughter and mass abductions.

Revelation of Role

The involvement of Colombian fighters first came to light the previous year, after an investigation which found that hundreds of former soldiers had been hired to participate in the war – an discovery that resulted in an unusual statement of regret from officials in Bogotá.

These South American veterans have long been considered as highly prized fighters in conflict zones due to their extensive battlefield experience gleaned from a long-running domestic war, familiarity with Nato equipment, and superior tactical education.

Reported Actions

In Sudan, the contractors have been accused of teaching underage fighters, taught fighters to pilot drones, and engaged in frontline combat. A mercenary remarked that working with child soldiers was "terrible and insane" but noted that "sadly, that is the nature of conflict".

Named Entities

Among those sanctioned was Álvaro Andrés Quijano Becerra, a dual Colombian-Italian national and ex-soldier located in the United Arab Emirates. The Treasury alleged he played a pivotal function in enlisting and transporting mercenaries 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 accused of processing money and salaries for the network. "Recently, American entities linked to Duque conducted multiple financial transactions, totalling millions of US dollars," the government release stated.

Colombian national Mónica Muñoz was the final person to be penalized, with the firm she operated said to have conducted financial transactions linked to Duque and his businesses.

"The United States again calls on foreign parties to stop giving financial and military support to the warring parties," the Treasury stated.

Expert Analysis

A senior analyst, with the International Crisis Group, labeled the measures as a "very significant" development, saying that "calling out those who are doing the contracting is the right way to go".

She added that, Bogotá has enacted a statute approving the global treaty against mercenarism, seeking to reduce decades of Colombian involvement in international fights and transform domestic defense strategy.

A mercenary specialist, an expert on mercenaries, urged more caution, saying that "sanctions are necessary but insufficient for dealing with widespread use of contractors".

"It operates in the black market and based out of Dubai, which is difficult to penalize," he stated. The United Arab Emirates has been widely accused of arming the RSF, allegations it disputes. "Expect more Colombian mercenaries," he advised.