In an interview with La W from the Itagüí prison, the former commander of the Banana Block of the Self-Defense Forces, Everth Veloza alias ‘HH’referred to banana companies as Chiquita Brands and others that financed the paramilitaries in Urabá and reaffirmed that contrary to what the company claimed that it was forced, the banana company voluntarily contributed to the AUC (United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia).
“At no time were they forced, we were taken as I have said in Justice and Peace. When I arrived in the banana zone, the order they gave me was to go and free all the banana crops, prevent the unions from carrying out strikes and prevent the guerrilla from having a presenceso at no time were they forced with a rifle to the head,” Veloza said when questioned.
In addition, he detailed how, from its subsidiary Banadex and with the direct collaboration of the company’s security chief in Colombia, Chiquita Brands favored the entry of weapons and other crimes committed by the groups paramilitaries.
“This issue of weapons is an issue that Raúl Hazbún directly handled. There, in Zungo, some weapons were brought in during some trips to Urea, where there were complicity of the head of security of Chiquita Brands and those who managed the port“, he stated from the prison.
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In fact, according to Veloza, the Self-Defense Forces had been illegally financed since 1995, receiving money from banana companies and after the Convivir appeared, “legal” financing was established through those cooperatives under the leadership of Raúl Hazbún ‘Pedro Bonito’ irrigating money to the Banana Block.
“All the banana companies paid. I went from farm to farm to tell the workers that strikes were prohibited and anyone who stopped me was military objective. The commitment was that the banana activity would not stop, because when the ship came to loading the bananas, the workers went on strike and those ships began to invoice the banana growers.. All this for the benefit of the banana growers,” he narrated.
According to his story, Everth Veloza mentioned that alias ‘Pimpino’, alias ‘Walter’, alias ‘Domingo’, ‘Domingo Blanquicett’ (from the Unión Hans farm) and so on, were several of the workers and farm administrators placed in common agreement with the banana growers, so that they would monitor the workers.
“They paid the boys their salaries, but they worked for us in the Self-Defense Forces,” Veloza mentioned.
In relation to the Antioquia Governorate of the time, the former commander of the Self-Defense Forces pointed out that, since his knowledge as Block Commander, he has no information that they would have supported the criminal operation of the illegal structure he directed.
Everth Veloza assured that, in addition to Chiquita Brands, there are other companies that financed themamong those that have mentioned the multinational DOLE – also a banana company – before Justice and Peace, are the giants of Postobón and Coca-Cola soft drinks.
“Also Postobón and Coca-Cola contributed money, they also handle that directly from Medellín. They, medium and large companies, and some ranchers who were also active in the area. In Turbo, the gentlemen Willis, Mrs. ‘Nena’ of Finca La Florida”Veloza explained.
W Radio contacted Postobón and Coca-Cola to find out their position against the accusations of the former paramilitary commander and is awaiting his response.
Regarding the extradition, he pointed out that it hit them like a “wash of cold water” and stated that the Minister of the Interior Sabas Pretelt always had them playing the game that it was just a “little article” and they were surprised, but that did not stop them from The United States could continue contributing to the truth.
“The extradition fell on us like a bucket of cold water. Even when we demobilized I did not want extradition, but it was an issue that was always discussed at the negotiation table. What Minister Sabas Pretelt de la Vega did was to make a little article so that we wouldn’t worry about it and they ended up extraditing us,” said Veloza García.
In relation to the murder of Vicente Castaño, he stated that he had nothing to do with it and does not know what happened, and that at the time the member of the Castaño house assured them that if the government did not comply, he would “hide like a rat.” sewer and I was not going to come out again.” This contradicts what was stated by alias “Gordo Pepe” who in a letter delivered to Salvatore Mancuso accused Veloza of having been one of those who “went wrong” and participated in the murder of Castaño in complicity with the government of the time.
Alias ’HH’ about Chiquita Brands and AUC: “At no time were the contributions obligated”
