Chiquita is a leading fresh fruit producer with 25,000 employees in 70 countries. It is a major banana supplier in Europe and North America, holding a 44% global market share in 2009. From 1997-2004, Chiquita paid the Autodefensas Unidas de Colombia paramilitary group $1.7 million for protection at its operations in Colombia. In 2004, Chiquita sold its Colombia operations after facing legal issues and fines for its payments to the AUC.