🔗 Share this article

The United States has imposed sanctions on a operation of four people and four firms charged of enlisting South American contractors to combat alongside and instruct a Sudanese paramilitary group which the US alleges of genocidal acts.

Network Composition

Disclosing the measures on Tuesday, the Treasury stated the scheme was largely composed of Colombian nationals and companies.

Scores of ex-soldiers from Colombia have reportedly travelled to the conflict in Sudan to fight alongside the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a faction accused of horrific war crimes including ethnically targeted slaughter and mass abductions.

Emergence of Involvement

The role of these mercenaries initially emerged last year, following an inquiry which revealed that hundreds of ex-military personnel had been contracted to fight – an event that prompted an rare mea culpa from officials in Bogotá.

These South American veterans have widely regarded as among the world’s most sought-after mercenaries due to their extensive battlefield experience acquired during years of internal conflict, training on Nato equipment, and elite military instruction.

Activities in Sudan

In the Sudanese theater, the contractors have allegedly instructed child soldiers, taught fighters to pilot drones, and participated in direct battles. One source remarked that training children was "awful and crazy" but noted that "unfortunately that’s how war is".

Targeted Persons

Among those sanctioned was Álvaro Andrés Quijano Becerra, a citizen of both Colombia and Italy and former army officer based in the United Arab Emirates. The Treasury alleged he played a key part in hiring and sending ex-military personnel to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was penalized as well.

Also on the restricted list was Mateo Andrés Duque Botero, a dual national who officials alleged oversaw a company implicated in handling funds and payroll for the recruitment operation. "Recently, US-based firms associated with Duque conducted several money transfers, amounting to millions," the government release noted.

Colombian national Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the other individual to be penalized, with the firm she operated accused of wire transfers connected to Duque and his operations.

"The United States again calls on foreign parties to cease providing financial and military support to the belligerents," the department stated.

Expert Analysis

A senior analyst, with the International Crisis Group, called the sanctions as a "very significant" milestone, saying that "calling out those who are doing the contracting is the correct approach".

She added that, Colombia ratified a statute ratifying the International Convention Against the Recruitment and Use of Mercenaries, aiming to curb decades of Colombian involvement in foreign conflicts and reshape domestic defense strategy.

Another expert, a authority on private military contractors, urged more caution, stating that "restrictions are needed but not enough for combating the growing mercenary trade".

"It operates in the black market and centered in Dubai, which is relatively sanction-proof," he commented. The Emirati government has been repeatedly implicated of providing arms to the militia, an accusation it has denied. "This trend will probably continue," he advised.