Colombian president accuses US of violating sovereignty after civilian killed at sea

On October 19, 2025, Colombian President Gustavo Petro accused the United States of violating Colombia’s sovereignty and causing the death of a civilian.

“Representatives of the US government committed a killing and violated our sovereignty in our territorial waters. Fisherman Alejandro Caransa had no links to drug trafficking; his daily activity was fishing,” Petro wrote on his X page.

The President emphasised that the boat was in disrepair, with its motor raised and engine turned off at the time of the incident.

Colombia has demanded an official explanation from the United States regarding the incident.

On September 16, 2025, Colombian fisherman Alejandro Carrasa was killed when the US military struck his boat in the Caribbean Sea. According to Colombian President Gustavo Petro, Carrasa's boat was in poor condition: its engine was raised and its distress signal was on, indicating a technical malfunction. Carrasa had no ties to drug trafficking and was engaged in fishing.

The incident occurred as part of a US military operation against drug cartels in the Caribbean region. Since early September, the US has carried out a series of strikes on vessels suspected of being involved in drug trafficking, including in the territorial waters of Venezuela and Colombia. 

By Khagan Isayev