Family of Colombian fisherman killed in US boat strike files complaint alleging murder

Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News on Dec 3, 2025

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The family of a Colombian fisherman killed in one of the Trump administration’s strikes on suspected drug-carrying vessels has filed a formal complaint with the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, alleging he was murdered by the U.S. government.

The petition, filed Tuesday by human rights attorney Dan Kovalik, is believed to be the first related to the airstrikes, which so far have killed at least 82 people in the Caribbean and the Pacific since they began in early September.

The death toll includes Alejandro Carranza, who died on Sept. 15 off the coast of Colombia during what American authorities have said was an attack on drug smugglers.

Carranza’s family, however, has rejected claims he was in possession of any drugs, and instead insisted the fisherman was only doing his job when his vessel was targeted in Trump’s anti-narcotics military campaign, according to the complaint.

The family further alleged Carranza was denied his rights under international law to due process and a fair trial, accusing the United States of carrying out “extra-judicial killings.”

“From numerous news reports, we know that U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth was responsible for ordering the bombing of boats like those of Alejandro Carranza and the murder of all those on such boats,” according to the petition. “Secretary Hegseth has admitted that he gave such orders despite the fact that he did not know the identity of those being targeted for these bombings and extra-judicial killings.”

The complaint also claims Hegseth’s conduct was “ratified” by Trump.

Kovalik told CNN that Carranza’s family is seeking compensation as well as an end to such killings, though he did not provide further details.

“These killings are against international law,” he said. “They are against U.S. law. We want this to stop, and we think this is at least a first step to having that happen.”

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