Colombian Family Files Human Rights Petition Following U.S. Military Strike Death
The family of Alejandro Carranza, a Colombian national, has filed a formal petition with the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights. The petition challenges U.S. military strikes on alleged drug-carrying vessels, asserting that Carranza's death constituted an extrajudicial killing.
The Petition's Claims
The petition claims that on September 15, Carranza's fishing boat was struck off Colombia's Caribbean coast, violating human rights conventions. The complaint was received by the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights on Tuesday. Although the Trump administration has expressed support for the commission's work, the U.S. does not acknowledge the jurisdiction of an associated international court. Consequently, any recommendations from the petition would not be legally binding.
Daniel Kovalik, the family's attorney, stated that Carranza's four children and spouse are seeking compensation, as Carranza was their primary financial provider. Kovalik indicated that the commission was chosen due to potential obstacles in a federal case, while also noting that other legal avenues are not ruled out. Kovalik commented, "The U.S. does not subject itself to accountability, so we're using the avenues we have before us. We believe that a decision in our favor, combined with public pressure, can get us that compensation and also can end the killings in the Caribbean."
U.S. Military Operations
Since early September, U.S. military strikes targeting vessels allegedly carrying drugs towards the U.S. have resulted in over 80 fatalities. These operations initially occurred off Venezuela's Caribbean coast and later extended to the eastern Pacific Ocean.
The U.S. has simultaneously increased its military presence in the region. This increased presence has been widely interpreted as a strategy to pressure Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro to resign.
The Trump administration has not released specific details regarding the individuals killed in these strikes. However, it has maintained that intelligence confirmed the targeted vessels were operated by members of "foreign terrorist organizations."
The U.S. military's September 15 strike killed three individuals. Following this incident, President Donald Trump stated that large quantities of cocaine and fentanyl were observed in the ocean. Neither the military nor the White House released images corroborating this description.
Kovalik denied that Carranza's boat was transporting drugs and stated he did not know if other individuals were aboard the vessel. Kovalik also represents President Gustavo Petro in the U.S. Petro, the leftist leader of a traditional U.S. ally, has characterized the boat attacks as "murders" and questioned the proportional use of force.
Allegations of Threats and Pentagon Response
The family's petition cites various reports from The New York Times and The Washington Post concerning their allegations, alongside statements by U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, as evidence of Carranza's killing. The petition also claims that Carranza's family has received threats since his death. It states, "The victims do not have adequate and effective resources in Colombia to obtain reparations ... moreover, even if such resources existed, the victims could not exercise them safely, given that they have been threatened by right-wing paramilitaries simply for denouncing Mr. Carranza's murder." This aspect of the petition was initially reported by The Guardian.
The Pentagon did not provide an immediate response to a request for comment regarding the complaint.
Reports from The Washington Post indicated that Hegseth had issued a verbal order to "kill everybody" on the first boat targeted by the military and that an admiral approved a subsequent strike, which reportedly resulted in the deaths of two survivors from the initial incident. Hegseth was quoted as stating the admiral "made the right call" and "had complete authority to do" so.
Expansion of Strikes and Diplomatic Developments
On Tuesday, President Trump announced that the U.S. would soon commence land strikes, without specifying locations, but suggested countries beyond Venezuela, including Colombia. Trump stated, "You know, the land is much easier, much easier. And we know the routes they take. We know everything about them. We know where they live. We know where the bad ones live. And we're going to start that very soon, too." When asked to elaborate, Trump clarified he was referring to countries involved in manufacturing and selling fentanyl or cocaine, noting Colombia's status as the world's leading cocaine producer. He added, "Anybody that's doing that and selling it into our country is subject to attack. Not just Venezuela."
Days after President Trump confirmed a phone conversation with Venezuelan President Maduro, Maduro publicly acknowledged the call on Wednesday. He expressed hope that the conversation could lead to future dialogue between the two governments. During a televised government event, Maduro stated that "the White House called Miraflores Palace" and described his conversation with Trump as "respectful, even ... cordial." These comments followed the arrival of a flight operated by a U.S. government contractor in Caracas, carrying 266 deported migrants.
Maduro further stated, "I'll go further, if that call means that steps are being taken toward a respectful dialogue between states, between countries, then welcome the dialogue, welcome the diplomacy, because we will always seek peace."