U.S. Aid for Colombian Probes Sought

Colombia’s top prosecutor meets with U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales today as he seeks help for his investigation of links between corporations and right-wing paramilitary groups.

Mario Iguaran wants to know if U.S.-based corporations funded the groups, known for death squads, drug trading and extortion, the Associated Press reports.

Chiquita has acknowledged a subsidiary paid $1.7 million to paramilitaries in Colombian banana regions. In March, the fruit company agreed to pay $25 million to settle a U.S. Justice Department investigation.