Colombian Militia Boss Says Took U.S. Banana Payoffs

"He talked about ties to the banana companies, most of the companies that operated in his area of influence," Carlos Ivan Lopera, a lawyer for a victim's rights group who attended the hearing, told Reuters. Reporters were not allowed in the testimony at Medellin attorney general's office. But a judicial source and another representative of victims of paramilitary violence allowed into the hearings confirmed details of Mancuso naming Dole and Del Monte and other local fruit companies. He did not give details on whether companies were pressured to make protection payments or whether the alleged payments were made by their local product distributors An official at Dole Food's office in California denied Mancuso's accusations. Mancuso spoke about Del Monte but was not more precise about details. A representative from U.S. firm Fresh Del Monte, which has production sites in Colombia, did not return calls seeking comment. Source: [ http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N17404594.htm ] PLUS: Hyundai's Colombian importer has been accused of supporting an illegal paramilitary army. http://www.just-auto.com/article.aspx?id=91372 "Salvatore Mancuso revealed that Hyundai's Colombian importer, Carlos Mattos, met Carlos Castaño [deceased paramilitary chief] and that in that meeting the Autodefensas chief demanded him a helicopter for his personal transportation and for reviewing his troops in less time he had to do that at the time. Mattos, according to Mancuso, was unable to fulfil the demand, but in exchange he promised to give him 4 cars a year". http://caracol.com.co/noticias/428383.asp [Spanish] Colombia Hyundai's defence: "According to Hyundai Colombia Automotriz's directive board, the company gave 4 taxis to the Autodefensas under threats and in order to save commercial vice president Lázaro Montes's life". http://caracol.com.co/noticias/428972.asp [Spanish] MORE: http://www.guardian.co.uk/colombia/story/0,,2083365,00.html http://www.cipcol.org/archives/000464.htm

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