As we noted in January of this year – Chiquita Brands Faces Further Investigation in Colombia – Chiquita Brands, the U.S. based banana grower is continuing to face scrutiny in Colombia and the U.S. for its involvement in the extra-judicial killings committed by the paramilitary group, the AUC. While the Colombian government continues its investigation into the company’s involvement in the killings of more than 173 people, the company has sought a dismissal of a lawsuit brought by the families of the victims in U.S. federal court in Miami.
According to a company attorney, Greg Levy, there are no allegations that the company was directly involved in any of incidents. The lawsuit claims that Chiquita should be held liable for allegedly providing material support to the AUC in the form of cash, weapons such as AK-47s, military supplies and even access to its banana ports for cocaine trafficking.
According to Colombia Reports, “the lawsuits were filed around the country and consolidated in West Palm Beach before U.S. District Judge Kenneth A. Marra, who held a hearing Friday on the company’s motions to dismiss. Marra is expected to issue a written ruling later in cases that collectively could amount to the largest wrongful death claims in U.S. history, according to attorneys involved. There was no timetable for Marra to rule.”
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