U.S. Fruit Firm Admits Ties to Colombian Terrorists; Chiquita Fined $25 Million for Giving FARC, AUC Protection Cash

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Byline: Jerry Seper, THE WASHINGTON TIMES

Chiquita Brands International, a leading global marketer and distributor of bananas and other fresh and processed food products, has admitted accusations by federal authorities that they have done business with terrorist organizations.

The Cincinnati-based company and several unnamed corporate officials are accused in court documents of making protection payments to the right-wing United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia, the AUC. Chiquita also did business with the leftist Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, according to prosecutors. Both groups have been designated by the State Department as terrorist …