Landmark Verdict Holds Banana Giant Accountable for Funding Paramilitary Group
In a historic decision, a Florida jury has ruled that Chiquita Brands must compensate the families of victims killed by a Colombian paramilitary group. The jury awarded a total of $38.3 million to 16 family members who lost loved ones during Colombia’s long-running civil war.
First Time Liability Established
This verdict marks a significant turning point. According to the plaintiffs’ legal team, it’s the first time Chiquita Brands has been found liable in any of the multiple similar lawsuits filed against them in U.S. courts. More importantly, it sets a rare precedent by holding a private American company accountable for human rights abuses committed overseas.
Funding the AUC: A Controversial History
Court documents reveal that Chiquita, through its Colombian subsidiary Banadex, made payments totaling approximately $1.7 million to the United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia (AUC) between 1997 and 2004. The AUC, a brutal right-wing paramilitary group, is responsible for the deaths of thousands of Colombians during this period.
Chiquita’s Defense and Colombian Reaction
Chiquita has maintained that these payments were made under duress, fearing violence against their employees and disruption of their operations. However, the jury’s verdict suggests a different interpretation. Colombian President Gustavo Petro took to social media to express his surprise at the verdict. He questioned why the U.S. justice system could hold Chiquita liable while Colombian courts haven’t reached a similar conclusion.
Justice for Victims and Accountability for Chiquita
“Our clients displayed immense courage by coming forward,” stated Agnieszka Fryszman, an attorney representing the plaintiffs. “They placed their trust in the U.S. justice system, and we’re incredibly grateful for the jury’s thoughtful consideration of the evidence.” Fryszman further emphasized that while the verdict can’t bring back the deceased loved ones, it serves as a form of closure and assigns blame for funding terrorism directly to Chiquita.
