Dole sued over death squads

[Judi Lynn]

Posted on Wednesday, 04.29.09
Dole sued over death squads
BY FRANK BAJAK
Associated Press

BOGOTA -- -- Dole Food Co. made regular payments for at least a decade in a banana-growing region to illegal far-right Colombian militias that killed thousands, according to a wrongful death lawsuit filed Tuesday.

The plaintiffs are relatives of 51 men allegedly murdered by a militia belonging to the United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia, or AUC.

The victims were either involved in labor union organizing or were small farmers fighting attempts by Dole to obtain their land and plant bananas, the suit claims.

Dole is the second U.S. banana importer after Chiquita Brands International to be sued in the United States for such alleged behavior.

More:
http://www.miamiherald.com/news/americas/story/1022706.html