A Pittsburgh lawyer representing a family from Colombia has filed the first legal challenge of US airstrikes on alleged drug-smuggling boats.
Daniel Kovalik filed the petition Monday with the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights.
Alejandro Medina is among over 80 people killed in 21 airstrikes since September, in the Trump administration’s campaign of bombing small boats it alleges are smuggling narcotics.
Medina's wife and four children insist he was on a fishing expedition and not carrying drugs when his boat was struck in September.
The complaint contends Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered the strike without knowing who was aboard, violating Medina's right to due process and a fair trial.