Action to Halt “Chiquita” Lawsuit for Torture and Murder was Rejected

This Friday, a federal judge rejected an attempt by Chiquita banana company to halt a lawsuit that seeks millions of dollars in compensation for 4,000 Colombian citizens.

The plaintiffs claim that they or their relatives were tortured or killed by paramilitaries who received payments from the company.

Chiquita, based in the United States, admitted paying a paramilitary group in Colombia (United Self Defense Forces of Colombia, AUC) which is classified by U.S. authorities as a terrorist organization.

Therefore, in 2007, the company was fined $ 25 million.

In total, Chiquita would have paid $ 1.7 million between 1997 and 2004, the year the company sold its properties in Colombia.

In a statement released after the judge’s decision, the company said that “payments were made ​​to protect employees, not to support terrorism.”

Chiquita also said it will vigorously defend itself against claims of Colombians.

Source: BBC Mundo