Colombian Family Demands Answers After US Airstrike Hits Alleged Drug Boat

Sat Nov 22 2025 16:38:55 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

The family of Alejandro Carranza, who has been missing since a US military strike in international waters, seeks clarity as they navigate the aftermath of a controversial anti-drug operation involving Colombian citizens.

Following an airstrike by the US targeting alleged drug-trafficking boats in the Caribbean, relatives of missing Colombian fisherman Alejandro Carranza are left in uncertainty. With President Trump citing threats from drug cartels, the strikes have faced criticism for potentially violating international law, further complicating US-Colombia relations. As families fear the consequences of this military campaign, a broader political narrative unfolds involving US strategies against the Maduro regime in Venezuela.

Lizbeth Perez looks fearful as she gazes out onto the postcard-perfect fishing bay of Taganga, on Colombia's Caribbean coast, recalling the moment she last spoke to her uncle in September.

He was a kind man, a good person, a friend. A good father, uncle, son. He was a cheerful person. He loved his work and his fishing, she remembers as she discusses Alejandro Carranza's disappearance.

Alejandro left on his fishing boat from La Guajira, Venezuela, on September 14, shortly before a US airstrike was announced by President Trump, targeting what was described as a drug trafficking vessel.

Since then, the family has had no contact, and the uncertainty surrounding whether Alejandro was on the boat has left them desperate for answers.

US military operations against alleged drug trafficking in the Caribbean have escalated, with reports of 83 fatalities from 21 strikes. The operations, justified as essential for US national security, have drawn criticism and claims that they infringe on international law.

Colombia's President Gustavo Petro has expressed concern that innocent lives are at stake, particularly pointing to Carranza's alleged involvement in the tragedy. As accusations fly between US and Colombian leaders, a complicated narrative regarding drug trafficking, military intervention, and international relations emerges.

Meanwhile, fishermen in the region grow increasingly apprehensive about being targeted, fearing that their livelihoods could lead to fatal ramifications due to the ongoing operations.

As the US contemplates its military strategy amidst allegations against Venezuelan leadership, local communities remain in turmoil, wondering if their daily lives will be forever altered by these geopolitical conflicts.