Chiquita paid alleged terror groups

NEW YORK (Reuters) - The U.S. government is investigating Chiquita Brands International Inc. for making "protection" payments to certain Colombian groups which the U.S. says are terrorist organizations, the company said Monday.

The announcement came on the same day the Cincinnati-based distributor of bananas and other fresh fruits reported first-quarter net income falling to $20 million, or 46 cents per share, from $25 million, or 62 cents, a year ago.

Chiquita Chief Executive Fernando Aguirre said in a conference call with analysts that the company is taking the investigation "very seriously, but believe it's manageable."

"I want to stress that this issue only involves our Colombia subsidiary," Aguirre said.

The Department of Justice recently indicated it will be evaluating the role and conduct of the company and some of its officers into a matter involving Chiquita's banana subsidiary in Colombia, Chiquita said.


http://money.cnn.com/2004/05/11/news/international/chiquita.reut/index.htm?cnn=yes

chiquita and united fruit have had long ties with south american death squads and dictators. gotta keep those unions out, ya know.

so DON'T investigate their operations in any other country where they do business. ya got that??

They never got in trouble for it, either. Probably because Marcos and Reagan were such good friends. Such good friends that the Reagan administration would arrest Phillipine dissidents hiding in this country and deport them back to be incarcerated or executed for their political beliefs. I know this because my family and other families from our church took turns hiding a minister who opposed Marcos in our basements for a few months.

Our black-hooded goons will take your family away!
If you got a couple questions, maybe better bite your tongue
Our death squads keep the country stable,
And put bananas on your table!"

Over 100 years of plantation colonialism!
From the people who've brought you American military invasions for over a century!