A Colombia newpaper, El Espectador, published an interesting article yesterday about the relationships between the three largest North American banana companies and the paramilitary. The article connects Dole, Chiquita and Del Monte to paramilitary, whom committe 85% of the human rights violations here in Colombia.
Specifically, the article was about a lawsuit that was entered into a Los Angeles, California courtroom last week. Lawyer Terry Collingsworth filed the lawsuit against the Dole Food Corporation on behalf of 73 family members of farmers and union members that were assassinated by the paramilitary Organization, called Autodefensas Unidas de Colombia (AUC). A similar lawsuit was filed against Chiquita brands in 2007. Chiquita, the Ohio based corporation, pled guilty to the charge and payed 25 million to the United States governement.
Here are some of the highlights of the interview with Mr. Collingsworth:
- There were 57 assassinated that were either union organizers in the company and/or lived in the land that the Company wanted to plant more banana trees.
- Dole payed 40% of the Annual buget of operations for the paramilitary group in the region.
- Demoblized Paramilitary in open testimony that his group was paid by both Dole and Chiquita and Both companies knew what was happening.
- Now People living in the area say, nothing has changed. There is a new paramilitary group called the Black Eagles and the questions remains Why does this group continue to operate and who is paying them?
To read the full article click here: El Espectador
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