Judges Dismiss Columbian Lawsuit Against Chiquita

A three-judge panel of the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has dismissed claims against Cincinnati-based produce giant Chiquita Brands International made by the families of thousands of Colombians killed during a civil war. The court ruled federal courts have no jurisdiction. The lawsuits accused Chiquita of assisting in the killings by paying 1.7 million dollars to a right-wing paramilitary group. Chiquita formerly operated large banana plantations in Colombia.  Attorneys for the estimated 4 thousand Colombians say they may ask the full 11th Circuit or the U.S. Supreme Court to consider the case.