A Florida jury has found Chiquita Brands International liable for financing the Colombian paramilitary group Autodefensas Unidas de Colombia (AUC).
The civil case in the Southern District of Florida concluded Chiquita “knowingly provided substantial assistance to the AUC,” creating a foreseeable risk of harm.
Chiquita, one of the world’s leading banana producers, has been ordered to pay $38.3 million to the families of eight victims of the AUC.
AUC is a far-right group designated as a terrorist organization by the US and disbanded in 2006.
The lawsuit, originally filed in 2008, alleged that Chiquita’s payments to the AUC supported the group’s violent activities in Colombia.
“The verdict sends a powerful message: corporations will be held accountable when business decisions prioritize profits over human lives”
The plaintiffs argued Chiquita should be held liable for the AUC’s murders.
Chiquita announced its intention to appeal the verdict.
The company said: “The situation in Colombia was tragic for so many, including those directly affected by the violence there, and our thoughts remain with them and their families.
“However, that does not change our belief that there is no legal basis for these claims.
“While we are disappointed by the decision, we remain confident that our legal position will ultimately prevail.”
Searcy Law, representing the victims and their families, said: “The verdict sends a powerful message: corporations will be held accountable when business decisions prioritize profits over human lives.”
The lawsuit highlighted the devastating impact of the AUC’s violence on the victims’ families.
Chiquita’s involvement with the AUC came to light in 2007 when the company pleaded guilty to making over 100 payments totaling $1.7 million to the group, despite its designation as a terrorist organization.
These payments were falsely recorded as “security services.”
Chiquita agreed to pay a $25 million fine to the US government.
Need Career Advice? Get employment skills advice at all levels of your career
An executive claimed the payments were made under the threat of violence.
However, the Florida jury found Chiquita failed to act as a reasonable businessperson would have under the circumstances.
Searcy Law said: “Chiquita’s claim that it was forced to support the terrorists because it was itself the victim of extortion was a defense expressly rejected by the jury.”
Attorney Victoria Mesa-Estrada of Searcy Law said the verdict serves as a wake-up call for businesses to avoid indirectly supporting violence or human rights abuses.
Colombian President Gustavo Petro reacted to the decision on social media, questioning why similar justice wasn’t achieved in Colombia.
He posted on X: “Why could U.S. justice determine in judicial truth that Chiquita Brands financed paramilitarism in Urabá? Why couldn’t Colombian justice?”
