Intimidation and extortion force suspension of operations at several banana farms
The Association of Banana Growers of Magdalena and La Guajira (Asbama) has warned that escalating violence from illegal armed groups has brought banana production to a halt on several farms in one of Colombia’s main producing regions.
Asbama said the Clan del Golfo and Autodefensas Conquistadoras de la Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta – known as Los Pachencas – have forced the suspension of exports after threatening workers with lethal reprisals if they report to work.
According to the association’s president, José Francisco Zúñiga, the gangs maintain an atmosphere of extortion and constant pressure on large, medium, and small-scale producers. He explained that armed men arrive directly at banana plantations, halt operations, and leave phone numbers with managers to initiate extortion schemes, demanding payments in exchange for alleged security guarantees for the companies and their workers.
The gangs also distribute pamphlets ordering residents not to leave their homes or open businesses – halting work on various plantations and disrupts the flow of banana exports from the region. Workers are justifiably concerned: Zona Bananera has one of the highest homicide rates in the country.
Asbama also criticised the authorities’ response. Zuñiga noted that an initiative announced by the then-defence minister, Iván Velásquez, to create a Fifth Police District for Zona Bananera had never materialised.
