New Alien Tort Claims Act Complaint Filed Against Chiquita

More than 200 relatives of Colombians allegedly killed or “disappeared” by members of an organization designated by the United States as a “Global Terrorist” in 2001 have filed a lawsuit under the Alien Tort Claims Act (ATCA) against Chiquita Brands International, Inc., alleging that the company’s illegal financial support of the organization was responsible for their injuries. Montes v. Chiquita Brands Int’l, Inc., No. 10-60573 (S.D. Fla., filed April 14, 2010). Represented by Boies, Schiller & Flexner LLP, the plaintiffs bring the same types of claims that have been raised in other ATCA lawsuits filed against the company, which pleaded guilty to making the illegal payments to purportedly protect its banana plantation operations. Additional information about these cases can be found in issue 342 of this Update. The plaintiffs here, identified by name, seek compensatory and punitive damages.