A Florida jury decided Tuesday that Chiquita, the banana company based in Florida, must pay $38.3 million to 16 relatives of individuals killed by paramilitaries funded by Chiquita during Colombia‘s Civil War.
The ruling, considered “historic,” deems Chiquita accountable for financing the AUC, a group labeled a terrorist organization by the U.S. Government.
This landmark verdict sends a strong message to corporations worldwide: profiting from human rights abuses will not be tolerated. The families impacted by these actions have stood up against corporate greed and emerged victorious through this legal process.
During the trial, testimonies from Judge Kenneth Marra, the jury, and former AUC members revealed that Chiquita funneled around $1.7 million to the AUC between 1997 and 2004. Chiquita claimed these payments were for protecting their staff and business.
However, the jury found that Chiquita failed to act responsibly given the circumstances, holding the company accountable for crimes committed by the paramilitary groups, including murders and kidnappings.
The Colombian President, Gustavo Petro, questioned why similar decisions had not been made in Colombian courts, highlighting the impactful reach of U.S. justice in uncovering such corporate misconduct.
¿Por qué la justicia de EEUU pudo determinar en verdad judicial que Chiquita Brands financió el paramilitarismo en Urabá?.
¿Por qué no pudo la justicia colombiana?
Si el acuerdo de paz del 2016, que ya sabemos es una declaración unilateral de estado que nos compromete ante el… https://t.co/pT2l86cuyH
— Gustavo Petro (@petrogustavo) June 11, 2024
Chiquita has announced its plan to appeal the jury verdict, stressing the ongoing tragedy in Colombia. Despite the ruling, the company maintains its stance that the claims lack a legal basis and expresses confidence in a favorable outcome.
The six-week trial, followed by two days of deliberation, culminated in the final judgment. This case originated in July 2007 and was consolidated with other related cases.
The AUC operated in the 90s and officially disbanded in 2006, leaving behind a legacy of violence that claimed the lives of thousands. In 2007, Chiquita pleaded guilty to engaging in financial transactions with the AUC, resulting in a $25 million fine.