A federal judge in Alabama ruled that U.S. coal company Drummond is not guilty of the murder and intimidation of Colombian workers, the company announced Tuesday.
The coal giant was facing a number of lawsuits over the past few years and was accused of involvement in the murder and intimidation of dozens of unionists, carried out by right wing militias. According to Colombian labor rights activists, backed by U.S. union United Steelworkers, the company funded paramilitary organization AUC.
According to Drummond, the company is now clear of suspicion and “welcomes this latest vindication in what is now a seven-year effort by the unions and their supporters to bring false and unfounded claims that the companies have collaborated with paramilitaries in acts of violence against union leaders and others.”
The Washington office of United Steel Workers could not be reached on Wednesday, because of the celebration of Veteran’s Day.