What do Chiquita Bananas and a Colombian Paramilitary Group have in Common?

What do Chiquita Bananas and a Colombian Paramilitary Group have in Common with Cincinnati?

–

The fruit company, formerly headquartered in Cincinnati during the 90’s and early 2000’s, has been found liable for the murders of 8 people.  Chiquita Brands made payments to the United Self Defense Forces of Columbia(AUC) between 1997-2004 totaling an amount over $1.7 million over the 7 year period.  In 2001, the AUC was labeled as a foreign terrorist organization.  Chiquita Brands company required more land to expand their Banana operations, in order to do so, lawyers contend that they hired the paramilitary group to free up the land – which was done by killing or forcing out the local farmers.  The company has been ordered to pay $38.3 million to family members of the 8 victims.

The late Carl Lindner Jr. and family of Cincinnati, owned more than 30% of Chiquita up until 2001.  Chiquita moved it’s headquarters to Charlotte, NC in 2012, followed by Switzerland in 2019.  It’s currently owned by two Brazilian Companies.

 

https://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2024/06/13/chiquita-liable-finance-colombian-military-group.html

#cincinnati #financier #lindner #carllindner #paramilitary #Chiquita #chiqiutabananas #colcre #commercialrealestate #columbia #brazil #bananas #fruitcompany #chiquitabrandsinternational #liability #accountability #farmers #southamerica #business