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Chiquita Sued by Relatives Of Five Slain Missionaries
Relatives of five U.S. missionaries slain in the 1990s by Colombian rebels filed a federal lawsuit against Chiquita Brands International...that accuses the banana company of contributing to their deaths by secretly financing the rebel group. The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, is the latest legal battle for the Cincinnati company since it admitted to paying protection money to armies fighting a guerrilla war in Colombia...The Justice Department lawsuit has fueled several other lawsuits by Colombian citizens who claim Chiquita is liable for actions taken by guerrillas. The company says it made payments under duress from the guerrillas and was being extorted.