Asbama demands urgent action against massacre of banana workers and escalation of violence in Zona Bananera

The Association of Banana Growers of Magdalena and La Guajira (ASBAMA) demanded an immediate response from the authorities after the massacre of three workers in the banana sector that occurred in the last few hours in the municipality of Zona Bananera. The union warned about the growing wave of violence that affects the population and puts the stability of one of the department’s main economic activities at risk.

“We cannot normalize violence or allow fear to capture our communities. We demand immediate results. The State must guarantee life, mobility and production in the Banana Zone“said ASBAMA when denouncing the overflow of crime in the region.

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Insecurity and blockades affect production

So far in 2025, the municipality has registered at least 32 blockades on the Troncal de Oriente and on the railway, in addition to total closures in June, July and this October 9, which have paralyzed the mobility of workers and the departure of fruit. Only in the first semester were 62 homicidesa figure that reflects the deterioration of public order in a municipality of just over 77 thousand inhabitants.

ASBAMA reiterated that violence directly threatens the sustainability of banana cultivation, on which most of the 14,000 jobs in the Magdalena. “The strengthening of the banana sector is vital for the economy of the department and the stability of thousands of families“, the union emphasized.

Call to the Government and the Prosecutor’s Office

The Association requested from the Attorney General’s Office, the Departmental Government and the National Government the installation of a permanent Unified Command Post (PMU) in the Banana Zone, with sustained presence of the authorities and capacity for immediate reaction.

“Citizen security is essential to preserve jobs, investments and confidence in a productive chain that contributes to the well-being of Magdalena and Colombia.“, stated the entity, which also expressed its condolences and solidarity with the families of the victims.

A sector in recovery

Despite the security crisis, the banana sector is going through a moment of economic recovery. Between January and June 2025, Colombia exported 67.4 million boxes of bananasan increase in 22% compared to the same period in 2024. In the Caribbean region, exports reached 24.6 million boxesequivalent to 36.4% of the national total.

“At ASBAMA we are very satisfied with this rebound and we hope to close the year with positive figures. However, we insist on the need for support from the National Government to strengthen the competitiveness of the sector and guarantee stable market conditions.”he explained José Francisco Zúñiga Cotesexecutive president of the Association.

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The union leader recalled that the United States was consolidated as the main destination for Colombian bananas, with almost 12 million boxes exported in the first semester, which represents a growth of 39% at the national level and 45% in the Caribbean region. “For the producers of Magdalena and La Guajira, the US market is strategic, since about 40% of the bananas harvested on the northern coast of Colombia go to that country.”Zúñiga added.