🔗 Share this article

The Washington has levied restrictions on a network of several persons and entities charged of recruiting former Colombian soldiers to support and educate a militia force in Sudan which the US alleges of acts of genocide.

Group Makeup

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

Hundreds of former Colombian military personnel have been recruited to go to the Sudanese warzone to combat beside the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a force implicated in horrific war crimes including targeted ethnic killings and large-scale abductions.

Discovery of Participation

The participation of ex-soldiers was first uncovered in 2024, following an report which revealed that hundreds of retired troops had been recruited to participate in the war – an discovery that prompted an unusual statement of regret from the Colombian government.

These South American veterans have historically been seen as highly prized fighters in conflict zones due to their vast combat experience acquired during a long-running domestic war, training on Nato equipment, and high-level combat training.

Reported Actions

In Sudan, the mercenaries have been accused of teaching child soldiers, taught fighters to pilot drones, and participated in direct battles. A mercenary remarked that working with child soldiers was "horrific and irrational" but commented that "sadly, that is the nature of conflict".

Targeted Persons

Among those sanctioned was a retired Colombian officer, a dual Colombian-Italian national and retired Colombian military officer located in the UAE. The US authorities alleged he played a central role in hiring and sending former Colombian soldiers to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was also sanctioned.

Also on the restricted list was Mateo Duque Botero, a dual national who officials alleged oversaw a company linked to handling funds and payroll for the network. "Over the past two years, US-based firms associated with Duque conducted multiple financial transactions, totalling millions of US dollars," the Treasury statement noted.

Colombian national Mónica Muñoz was the fourth individual to be targeted, with the company she managed alleged to have wire transfers connected to Duque and his operations.

"The United States again calls on foreign parties to cease providing monetary and weaponry aid to the combatants," the department stated.

Analyst Commentary

A senior analyst, with the International Crisis Group, described the actions as a "very significant" step, noting that "identifying the recruiters is the right way to go".

Furthermore, the Colombian government recently passed a piece of legislation approving the global treaty against mercenarism, seeking to reduce years of participation by its nationals in overseas wars and change domestic defense strategy.

Sean McFate, an expert on mercenaries, urged more caution, stating that "restrictions are needed but not enough for addressing the growing mercenary trade".

"It’s an illicit economy and based out of the UAE, which is relatively sanction-proof," he said. The United Arab Emirates has been repeatedly implicated of providing arms to the militia, claims it rejects. "This trend will probably continue," the expert cautioned.