Chiquita Ordered to Pay $38.3M for Funding Colombian Paramilitary Group

A federal jury in Florida finds Chiquita Brands International liable for human rights abuses, marking a historic legal precedent.

Chiquita was found liable for financing the United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia (AUC), a designated terrorist group.
The $38.3 million in damages will go to the families of eight men killed by the AUC.
This ruling follows 17 years of legal battles and is the first time a major U.S. corporation has been held responsible for such actions abroad.
Chiquita's defense claimed payments were made under duress to protect employees, but the jury rejected this argument.
Additional trials for other victims are scheduled to continue in July.