The Colombian Attorney General has announced the reopening of a case against the directors of U.S. multinational Chiquita for alleged payments to paramilitary groups, website Terra.com.co reported.

Eduardo Montealegre

A previous investigation against the 13 company executives was dropped in March by an attorney of the city of Medellin, arguing that contributions made to the United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia (AUC) were not voluntary but a result of enforcement by the paramilitary organization.

However, the national attorney general Eduardo Montealegre believes there is evidence against Chiquita.

"It is about establishing the individual and personal responsibilities of the Chiquita Brands directors that eventually may have favored or funded the United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia (AUC)," Montealegre was quoted as saying.

The company was sanctioned with a fine of US$25 million in 2007 for recognizing the payment of US$1.7 million between 1997 and 2004 to the militia group responsibile for thousands of atrocities in the South American country.

Photo: Diario El Fenix

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