Banacol implicated in paramilitarism and landgrabbing in Colombia
Evidence shows that transnational tropical fruit producer Banacol provided support to paramilitary groups and predatory businessmen involved in land-invasions in Colombia.
This study focuses on the International Banacol Marketing Corporation’s actions in the Afro-Colombian and Mestizo communities’ collective territories of Curvaradó and Jiguamiandó in the Lower Atrato region of Chocó, Colombia.
This company produces and trades bananas, pineapples, cassava, and other products. Its business benefits from paramilitary structures, the promotion of land invasions for banana production, and contracts with individuals who do not have the approval of the communities. These activities are pursued to advance agreements concerning the use of the land, against Colombian laws.
The transnational company Banacol acquired Banadex, a subsidiary of the United States’ Chiquita Brands, and rushed into contracts with them to ensure the sale of fruit to Chiquita Brands after Chiquita were sanctioned by the State Department for financing of illegal groups in Colombia. Banacol markets its products in Europe through different firms. The business formation of these firms casts doubt on their legality.
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