A federal judge entered judgment against Chiquita Brands International, Inc. for $38.3 million, confirming a jury’s June 2024 verdict.  The compensation is for the wrongful deaths of seven Colombian nationals, which a jury found were caused by Chiquita’s financial and material support to violent terrorist groups in Colombia.

 

The six-week trial concluded with a unanimous verdict against the company. AgNet West reported U.S. District Judge Kenneth Marra had delayed the final judgment to consider Chiquita’s argument that Colombian law, which would limit compensation to $52,000 per claim, should apply. However, the court rejected Chiquita’s interpretation, ruling that even if such limits existed under Colombian law, they would not apply to a U.S. corporation.

 

This landmark decision marks the first time a U.S. corporation has been held liable in an American court for human rights violations committed against foreign nationals outside U.S. borders.

 

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