US Military Strike on Colombian Boat Leaves Family Seeking Justice
The family of a Colombian man killed in a US military strike on an alleged drug smuggling vessel in the Caribbean Sea has lodged a formal complaint with an intergovernmental agency, alleging that the US government violated their loved one's rights to life and due process.
According to the complaint submitted to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR), Alejandro Carranza was killed during the September 15 strike, which was part of President Donald Trump's anti-drug campaign. The family maintains that Carranza was a fisherman who had his boat struck by mistake, and not involved in any illicit activities.
The complaint accuses US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth of ordering the bombing despite a lack of knowledge about the identity of those being targeted, and claims that Trump has ratified this conduct. It also questions the legitimacy of the strikes as "extra-judicial killings" on sovereign waters.
Colombian President Gustavo Petro has joined the family's cause, denouncing the bombings as extrajudicial killings and questioning the US government's right to act in Colombian territorial waters. In a statement, Petro stated that Carranza had no ties to drug trafficking, and his daily activity was fishing. The administration's justification for the strikes – to deter "narco-terrorists" from smuggling drugs to the US – is seen as dubious by rights groups.
Critics argue that the strikes are likely illegal under both domestic and international law, which bars attacks on civilians. International law prohibits firing on unarmed adversaries, and the laws of armed conflict prohibit targeting vessels that have been wrecked or disabled.
The case has sparked controversy in Colombia, with many opposing the US military's actions. The administration has attempted to downplay its involvement, but critics say it is using Venezuela as a pretext for regime change.
As tensions escalate, the family's complaint comes at a time of heightened scrutiny for the Trump administration and Hegseth. Rights groups are urging the IACHR to take action, while the Colombian government continues to push for justice and accountability.
The US military has maintained that its actions were necessary to prevent further threats, but the family and rights groups argue that this justification is thin and does not account for the harm caused to civilians.
The family of a Colombian man killed in a US military strike on an alleged drug smuggling vessel in the Caribbean Sea has lodged a formal complaint with an intergovernmental agency, alleging that the US government violated their loved one's rights to life and due process.
According to the complaint submitted to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR), Alejandro Carranza was killed during the September 15 strike, which was part of President Donald Trump's anti-drug campaign. The family maintains that Carranza was a fisherman who had his boat struck by mistake, and not involved in any illicit activities.
The complaint accuses US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth of ordering the bombing despite a lack of knowledge about the identity of those being targeted, and claims that Trump has ratified this conduct. It also questions the legitimacy of the strikes as "extra-judicial killings" on sovereign waters.
Colombian President Gustavo Petro has joined the family's cause, denouncing the bombings as extrajudicial killings and questioning the US government's right to act in Colombian territorial waters. In a statement, Petro stated that Carranza had no ties to drug trafficking, and his daily activity was fishing. The administration's justification for the strikes – to deter "narco-terrorists" from smuggling drugs to the US – is seen as dubious by rights groups.
Critics argue that the strikes are likely illegal under both domestic and international law, which bars attacks on civilians. International law prohibits firing on unarmed adversaries, and the laws of armed conflict prohibit targeting vessels that have been wrecked or disabled.
The case has sparked controversy in Colombia, with many opposing the US military's actions. The administration has attempted to downplay its involvement, but critics say it is using Venezuela as a pretext for regime change.
As tensions escalate, the family's complaint comes at a time of heightened scrutiny for the Trump administration and Hegseth. Rights groups are urging the IACHR to take action, while the Colombian government continues to push for justice and accountability.
The US military has maintained that its actions were necessary to prevent further threats, but the family and rights groups argue that this justification is thin and does not account for the harm caused to civilians.
A FISHERMAN WHO HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH ANY DRUG SMUGGLING ACTIVITIES JUST BECAUSE HE WAS IN THE WRONG PLACE AT THE WRONG TIME. IT'S NOT LIKE THEY COULD HAVE JUST LET HIM GO, IT WAS JUST TOO EASY FOR THEM TO BLAME HIM AND BOMB HIS BOAT. 
I FEEL SO SAD FOR THIS FAMILY AND THE COLOMBIAN PRESIDENT WHO IS STANDING BY THEM. IT'S HIGH TIME WE HOLD THESE KIND OF PEOPLE IN POWER ACCOUNTABLE FOR THEIR ACTIONS! 
, which makes the US military's actions all the more concerning 
. Did you know that Colombia is one of the top 10 countries affected by US-led wars on terror? 
. This incident highlights the need for more oversight and accountability from our governments 
. 42% of Colombians support the country joining the EU as an associate member, maybe it's time we reevaluate our global relationships? 
this whole thing is super sus man. i mean, how can you just bomb a boat without knowing who's on it or what they're doing? it sounds like some sketchy ops to me. and yeah, the justification about narco-terrorists being all bad guys doesn't add up when you consider the civilian casualties 
. this is where the US military needs to get its act together and start thinking about the human cost of their actions. btw, has anyone else seen that vid of the Colombian president calling out the US? he's got some serious pipes on him 
. I feel so sorry for Alejandro's family, they deserve justice and answers, and the fact that Petro is standing up for them shows that there are still people who care about human rights in this world 
.
and now they're using Venezuela as an excuse, please 
it's all just a big PR stunt. the fact that Trump is involved in all of this just makes me skeptical about everything he says... I mean what's next? 
and the Colombian government is supposed to just roll over because Trump says so? no way, they need to take a stand and fight for their citizens' rights. this whole thing is just a perfect example of how the powerful use their influence to get away with stuff 
I mean, shouldn't we at least hear the other side of the story before judging? The US government says they're doing it to stop narco-terrorists from smuggling drugs... is that really a bad thing? 