Chiquita Brands International Inc

Chiquita Brands International Inc. said Wednesday that it would pay a $25-million fine to settle a long-running Justice Department investigation of whether it knowingly paid "protection" money to Colombian paramilitary and rebel groups designated by the U.S. as terrorist. In a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Cincinnati-based fruit and vegetable conglomerate also said it would cooperate with the government "in any continuing investigation into the matter."

After extraditing hundreds of drug trafficking suspects to the United States since President Alvaro Uribe took office in 2002, the Colombian government may soon turn the tables. Atty. Gen. Mario Iguaran told reporters Wednesday that he would consider requesting the extradition of up to eight executives of Chiquita Brands International Inc. to face criminal charges including arms trafficking and criminal conspiracy.

For more than a decade, leftist guerrilla and right-wing paramilitary groups in Colombia have kidnapped or killed civilians, trade union leaders, police and soldiers by the hundreds and profited by shipping cocaine and heroin to the United States. In that time, several American multinational corporations have been accused of essentially underwriting those criminal activities -- in violation of U.S.

As part of an inquiry into corporate payments to violent groups in Colombia, a group of congressmen wants more details about the Justice Department's handling of the Chiquita Brands International Inc. case, including whether the department was too lenient and why it took four years to file criminal charges after the banana company admitted making payoffs.

The Justice Department said it would not prosecute 10 Chiquita Brands International executives involved in the company's now-defunct payoff of Colombian paramilitary fighters protecting its most profitable banana-growing operation. The government's decision was part of a sentencing memo urging U.S. District Judge Royce C. Lamberth to fine Chiquita $25 million and have the company serve five years' probation for its illegal deals. The sentencing hearing is set for Monday.

A federal judge on Monday accepted a plea deal that includes a $25-million fine from Chiquita Brands International Inc. over "protection" payments it made to a Colombian paramilitary group designated a terrorist organization by the U.S. In the agreement, the Cincinnati-based banana company admitted paying the United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia $1.7 million from 1997 to 2004.

Fruit and salad distributor Chiquita Brands International Inc., struggling to boost profit amid higher costs and worries over food safety, said Monday that it would cut management and production jobs, close facilities and leave businesses as part of a plan to reduce costs by $60 million to $80 million a year. The news sent Chiquita's stock up by almost 12%.

Chiquita Brands International Inc., owner of the Fresh Express bagged-salad brand, suspended its dividend Monday and said its third-quarter earnings would be hurt by the outbreak of \o7E. coli \f7linked to spinach. The news sent Chiquita's shares tumbling $2.20, or 14%, to $13.53. The company also said that it would explore selling its fleet of 12 refrigerated cargo vessels. Chiquita is the latest company to face difficulties because of the contamination this month of fresh spinach.

Europe's second-highest court rejected multimillion-dollar compensation claims by the world's two largest banana companies against European Union banana tariffs and ordered them to pay costs. The companies, Chiquita Brands International Inc. and Dole Food Co., had sought compensation at the Court of First Instance. Although the amount of Dole's claim is confidential, Chiquita had wanted the European Commission to pay 564 million euros ($733.2 million), plus interest at an annual 8% rate.