🔗 Share this article

The Washington has enforced penalties on a network of several persons and entities charged of enlisting Colombian mercenaries to support and educate a Sudanese paramilitary group that Washington accuses of acts of genocide.

Operation Structure

Revealing the measures on Tuesday, the US Treasury Department stated the operation was largely composed of individuals and businesses from Colombia.

Numerous of ex-soldiers from Colombia have allegedly journeyed to the conflict in Sudan to operate with the Sudanese RSF militia, a force implicated in horrific war crimes such as targeted ethnic killings and mass abductions.

Revelation of Role

The participation of ex-soldiers first came to light last year, following an report which found that over three hundred former soldiers had been contracted to engage in combat – an event that led to an unusual statement of regret from the Colombian government.

Former Colombian military have widely regarded as among the world’s most sought-after mercenaries due to their vast combat experience gleaned from years of internal conflict, knowledge of Western military gear, and elite military instruction.

Activities in Sudan

In the conflict, the mercenaries have allegedly instructed minors, instructed militiamen in drone operation, and engaged in frontline combat. One source was quoted as saying that working with child soldiers was "terrible and insane" but noted that "sadly, that is the nature of conflict".

Sanctioned Individuals

Among those targeted was Álvaro Andrés Quijano Becerra, a individual with dual citizenship and former army officer based in the UAE. The US authorities alleged he played a pivotal function in enlisting and transporting former Colombian soldiers to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Oliveros, was similarly targeted.

Also on the penalty list was Duque Botero, a individual with Colombian and Spanish citizenship who authorities say managed a business implicated in handling funds and payroll for the network. "In 2024 and 2025, American entities connected to Duque engaged in multiple financial transactions, worth millions," the official announcement stated.

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

"Washington reiterates its demand for outside forces to halt the flow of monetary and weaponry aid to the combatants," the department stated.

Reaction

Elizabeth Dickinson, with the International Crisis Group, labeled the actions as a "major" milestone, saying that "targeting the enablers is the proper strategy".

It was also noted that, the Colombian government ratified a law approving the anti-mercenary convention, designed to limit decades of Colombian involvement in foreign conflicts and change its security approach.

Sean McFate, an expert on mercenaries, called for greater wariness, noting that "restrictions are needed but not enough for dealing with widespread use of contractors".

"This is a shadow economy and operating from the UAE, which is difficult to penalize," he stated. The Emirati government has been frequently alleged of providing arms to the militia, claims it rejects. "This trend will probably continue," McFate warned.