Colombia accuses U.S. of maritime incursion and killing fisherman

Sunday 19 October 2025 - 11:30

By: Sahili Aya

Colombia accuses U.S. of maritime incursion and killing fisherman

Colombian President Gustavo Petro has accused the United States of violating Colombian maritime waters and killing a fisherman during a military operation in the Caribbean aimed at combating drug trafficking.

According to Petro, the victim, Alejandro Carranza, had no ties to drug activities and was simply performing his daily work as a fisherman when his boat was struck during one of the U.S. strikes in mid-September. The operation reportedly involved seven U.S. naval vessels and stealth aircraft, with at least six strikes conducted since early September, resulting in 27 deaths.

Petro condemned the attack on social media, calling it an assassination and a breach of Colombian sovereignty. Relatives of the victim stated that fishermen have stopped going out to sea out of fear of further attacks.

The U.S. military deployment has also targeted Venezuela, accused by former President Donald Trump of running a major drug trafficking network. Venezuelan authorities deny these claims and consider the operations an attempt to pressure the government. The legality of U.S. strikes in foreign waters remains under debate.

Separately, Petro announced that another Colombian citizen survived a U.S. strike against a suspected drug submarine and has returned to Colombia with medical treatment, highlighting the continuing risks of these operations.