An Acquisition, Not an Alliance: the History of Banacol and the Purchase of Assets by Chiquita Brands

The multinational banana and fruit company Chiquita has announced the dismissal of “all” day laborers in Panama. The measure could affect more than 5,000 workers and was adopted in response to a strike launched against a law that introduces changes to pensions. Since the strike began in April, Chiquita has reported losses of 75 million dollars. The Labor Court has ruled in its favor, declaring the strike illegal, and the president of the country…

Banacol, a company founded in 1979. Photo: Valora Analitik archive. The Urabá antioqueño has been, since the 1960s, an epicenter of banana production in Colombia, which concentrates 65% of the country’s exports. In a region historically marked by state oblivion, lack of infrastructure and the presence of armed groups, the banana sector became the economic engine that has transformed the social and labor dynamics of thousands of families. Multina…