Chiquita executives avoid charges in Colombia terrorist protection case

Chiquita executives avoid charges in Colombia terrorist protection case The U.S. Justice Department has decided not to prosecute any current or former company executives of Chiquita Brands International Inc. following the previous disclosure of a banana-producing subsidiary in Colombia paying protection money to paramilitary groups designated as terrorists under a U.S. statute.
   Under a plea agreement reached in March, Chiquita will pay a fine of $25 million, payable in five annual installments. The Cincinnati-based company said it set money aside in 2006 for the fine, which it said would not impact its ability to operate.
   “We believe this is the right decision and one that reflects the good faith efforts of the company — and its officers, directors and employees — to address a very difficult situation involving the lives and safety of our employees,” said Fernando Aguirre, Chiquita’s chairman and chief executive officer.
   “Chiquita looks forward to putting this difficult chapter behind it, and remains committed to the highest standards of corporate responsibility, ethical conduct and legal compliance, in the United States and around the world.”