Banana growers in Colombia report armed incursions in plantations

The Association of Banana Growers of Magdalena and La Guajira (Asbama) has reported recurring armed incursions into banana plantations in the Zona Bananera region. According to José Francisco Zúñiga Cotes, president of the association, armed groups entered farms in Portón de Morán, Río Frío, and Orihueca on August 28 to intimidate workers and disrupt the cutting and packing processes.

These groups are reportedly using violence and extortion to impose their demands, with security footage and testimonies documenting the presence of armed men within packing facilities. Asbama has called for urgent intervention from the Colombian Ministry of Defense to protect workers and ensure the security of the production chain.