Their lawyer revealed that the family of a Colombian who claims to have been killed by a U.S. Airstrike near the coast of Colombia has brought their case before the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights. They are seeking accountability for the deadly U.S. Attacks in recent months on the Caribbean and Pacific.

As the Trump administration intensifies its offensive against what they claim are drug-trafficking vessels, at least 83 people were killed by targeted missile attacks.

According to the complaint that his family and U.S. attorney Daniel Kovalik filed with the commission, Alejandro Carranza was killed by a military strike on September 15, off the coast of Colombia.

The complaint accuses U.S.A. of extrajudicial killings and human rights violations.

Kovalik also represented Colombian president Gustavo Petro, after he had been sanctioned by U.S. Treasury, in October. He said that he hoped to hold U.S. defense secretary Pete Hegseth, and other U.S. official accountable for their roles in ordering the strike.

I'd like Hegseth to be fired. In an interview with CNN on Thursday, he stated that he would like to see the U.S. Government compensate these victims, apologize for the deaths and put a stop to them.

Anna Kelly, White House spokesperson, said that Trump's drug cartel strategy includes the strikes.

She said that "all of these strikes were against narcoterrorists who are bringing poisonous substances to our shores," as confirmed by U.S. Intelligence.

The Trump administration said that it was engaged in an armed conflict, but not one of international scope, with drug cartels. It claimed that this conflict has caused thousands to die in the United States.

The administration has declared the groups terrorists, and illegal drugs as weapons. It also claims that the attacks on suspected drug traffickers were self-defense. The administration also stated that the attacks were in accordance with the law on armed conflict.

The Pentagon didn't immediately respond to an inquiry for comment.

On Thursday, members of Congress announced that they would investigate whether U.S. forces committed war crimes in the recent airstrikes.

The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights is a human-rights watchdog and autonomous arm of the Organization of American States. It has no legal authority for enforcing its recommendations or findings.

Kovalik believes that bringing this case to light could encourage others in the future to file similar complaints, and bring the Trump administration under greater scrutiny.

Once you make the first move, others will follow. Kovalik stated that this is already happening.

Kovalik visited Carranza's parents in November, when he went to Colombia to visit Petro.

"A positive commission decision combined with public pressure could have an effect." Kovalik said, "I think Trump is concerned about his polling numbers and that people are disgusted with this. I believe this case will increase opposition to these bombings."

A /Ipsos survey found that Trump's approval ratings fell to 38% in November, the lowest level since his return to office.

Carranza has not been publicly addressed by the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights. In a recent press release, it urged the U.S. not to use lethal force during public security operations. (Reporting and editing by Daina Beth Soolman and Edmund Klamann; Inigo Alexander, reporting)

(source: Reuters)