News|Human RightsFamily of man slain in a US boat strike in the Caribbean lodges complaintFamily of Colombian fisherman Alejandro Carranza say his right to life was violated in US ‘narco-terrorist’ strikes.
The family of Alejandro Carranza, a Colombian national, has filed a complaint with the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) regarding a United States military strike on an alleged drug smuggling vessel in the Caribbean Sea. The complaint was…
The family of Alejandro Carranza, a Colombian national, has filed a complaint with the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) regarding a United States military strike on an alleged drug smuggling vessel in the Caribbean Sea. The complaint was submitted on Tue, Oct 21, 2025.
The complaint accuses the U.S. of violating Carranza’s rights to life and due process. It concerns an incident on Sep 15, 2025, during an anti-drug campaign led by President Donald Trump. Carranza's family asserts that he was aboard the vessel and was killed in the explosion. They describe him as a fisherman and deny any involvement in drug trafficking.
The complaint further implicates U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, alleging he ordered the strike without verifying the identities of the targets. The family also claims that President Trump supported Hegseth's actions.
It concerns an incident on Sep 15, 2025, during an anti-drug campaign led by President Donald Trump.
This case has drawn significant attention in Colombia, with President Gustavo Petro condemning the bombings as extrajudicial killings. Since Sep 2, 2025, the U.S. has conducted 21 strikes on alleged drug smuggling vessels, resulting in over 83 fatalities.
Legal experts and rights groups have raised concerns about the legality of these strikes under international law, which generally prohibits attacks on civilians. The U.S. administration has justified the operations as necessary to combat "narco-terrorism."
The IACHR is expected to review the complaint, with the possibility of referring it to the Inter-American Court of Human Rights. Meanwhile, tensions in the region continue to escalate, with increased U.S. military presence in the Caribbean and potential threats of further action in Venezuela.
Based on reporting by Al Jazeera.
