🔗 Share this article

The Washington has levied restrictions on a network of several persons and entities alleged of enlisting South American contractors to support and educate a armed faction in Sudan that Washington accuses of committing genocide.

Network Composition

Disclosing the restrictions on Tuesday, the US Treasury Department stated the network was largely composed of Colombian citizens and firms.

Numerous of ex-soldiers from Colombia have been recruited to go to Sudan to combat beside the RSF paramilitary group, a group linked to horrific war crimes encompassing massacres based on ethnicity and widespread kidnappings.

Revelation of Role

The participation of ex-soldiers initially emerged the previous year, prompted by an investigation which found that over three hundred retired troops had been recruited to engage in combat – an event that resulted in an unprecedented apology from officials in Bogotá.

Former Colombian military have historically been seen as some of the most in-demand contractors globally due to their vast combat experience gleaned from years of internal conflict, familiarity with advanced weaponry, and superior tactical education.

Reported Actions

In the Sudanese theater, the contractors have been accused of teaching underage fighters, provided drone warfare training, and fought directly on the frontlines. One source was quoted as saying that instructing minors was "terrible and insane" but noted that "unfortunately that’s how war is".

Named Entities

Among those sanctioned was Álvaro Andrés Quijano Becerra, a individual with dual citizenship and retired Colombian military officer located in the Dubai. The US authorities said he had a pivotal function in hiring and sending ex-military personnel to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Oliveros, was similarly targeted.

Also on the restricted list was Mateo Duque Botero, a dual Colombian-Spanish citizen who the Treasury stated managed a business linked to handling funds and payroll for the scheme. "In 2024 and 2025, US-based firms connected to Duque conducted several money transfers, totalling millions of US dollars," the government release stated.

Individual Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the final person to be penalized, with the company she managed alleged to have wire transfers associated with Duque and his companies.

"The United States again calls on outside forces to halt the flow of funding and arms to the warring parties," the Treasury announced.

Expert Analysis

An expert, from a conflict think tank, called the sanctions as a "major" milestone, stating that "targeting the enablers is the proper strategy".

She added that, Colombia ratified a piece of legislation endorsing the International Convention Against the Recruitment and Use of Mercenaries, seeking to reduce decades of Colombian involvement in overseas wars and change national security policy.

Sean McFate, a authority on private military contractors, called for greater wariness, saying that "restrictions are needed but not enough for addressing the growing mercenary trade".

"It operates in the black market and centered in Dubai, which is difficult to penalize," he stated. The UAE has been widely accused of arming the RSF, an accusation it has denied. "Expect more Colombian mercenaries," he advised.