🔗 Share this article

The Washington has imposed sanctions on a group of several persons and entities charged of recruiting South American contractors to support and educate a armed faction in Sudan which the US alleges of acts of genocide.

Group Makeup

Revealing the restrictions on this week, the Treasury stated the network was largely composed of Colombian nationals and companies.

Numerous of ex-soldiers from Colombia have allegedly journeyed to the Sudanese warzone to fight alongside the RSF paramilitary group, a faction linked to terrible atrocities encompassing ethnically targeted slaughter and large-scale abductions.

Discovery of Participation

The role of these mercenaries first came to light last year, prompted by an inquiry which revealed that more than 300 retired troops had been hired to fight – an event that resulted in an unusual statement of regret from Colombia’s foreign ministry.

Former Colombian military have historically been seen as among the world’s most sought-after mercenaries due to their extensive battlefield experience gleaned from a long-running domestic war, knowledge of Nato equipment, and high-level combat training.

Activities in Sudan

In the Sudanese theater, the mercenaries have reportedly trained underage fighters, provided drone warfare training, and fought directly on the frontlines. An individual involved was quoted as saying that instructing minors was "terrible and insane" but added that "regrettably, war operates that way".

Sanctioned Individuals

Among those sanctioned was a dual national, a individual with dual citizenship and ex-soldier operating from the Dubai. The Treasury alleged he played a key part in hiring and sending mercenaries to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Oliveros, was similarly targeted.

Also on the penalty list was Duque Botero, a dual national who the Treasury stated managed a business linked to processing money and salaries for the scheme. "Recently, US-based firms connected to Duque carried out multiple financial transactions, totalling millions of US dollars," the government release said.

Colombian national Mónica Muñoz was the final person to be penalized, with the firm she operated said to have conducted money transfers connected to Duque and his companies.

"The US once more urges outside forces to cease providing funding and arms to the belligerents," the department announced.

Analyst Commentary

A senior analyst, senior analyst at the International Crisis Group, called the sanctions as a "highly important" step, stating that "calling out those who are doing the contracting is the right way to go".

Furthermore, the Colombian government ratified a law ratifying the anti-mercenary convention, aiming to curb decades of Colombian involvement in overseas wars and change domestic defense strategy.

Sean McFate, a scholar on the subject, urged more caution, saying that "sanctions are necessary but insufficient for combating the growing mercenary trade".

"It’s an illicit economy and based out of the Emirates, which is difficult to penalize," he commented. The Emirati government has been repeatedly implicated of arming the RSF, allegations it disputes. "More contractors from Colombia are likely," he advised.