“Ultimately thousands of family members of victims have filed suit against Chiquita, and this is an ongoing process. Jurors ruled that Chiquita is liable for damages and suffering incurred by Colombian victims in this case. Chiquita has denied the charges in the current case, arguing that the payments to AUC constituted extortion and were made under duress. According to court findings, the company paid 3 cents on the dollar to AUC forces for each box of bananas exported from the country. But Chiquita executives admitted that these attacks were carried out by left-wing rebels rather than AUC forces, who never threatened Chiquita institutionally, according to court documents.

Source: Bueno Aires Herald June 12, 2024 09:09 UTC