So, that frustration you saw culminated with a protest this evening in front of the main office of Banana Growers Association in Independence Village. We counted some 700 Mayan King Workers, their spouses, and their children who showed up to demonstrate just how many people are being affected by the decision that Fyffes has made.
Marching with them was John Zabaneh and his other family members, and he told the press why he decided to show up, even though he's not been directly involved with the company for the past 3 and a half years:
John Zabaneh - Spokesperson, Mayan King Banana Farm
"First of all I just want to make it very clear that I'm not out here to defend either Meridian, Mayan King - not even myself. I'm here on a compassionate support for these workers you see behind there. Most of them I know for so long. 30 or more years and I have a feeling for these people. I have compassion for these people. For me this is an emotional thing here. My family has bent over backwards, frontwards, sideways, in every way possible to try to appease Fyffes. I am not in control of this company. Meridian, My family employed when OFAC designated me. My family appointed a new company to manage the company for over 3 years since I've been designated. Now all of a sudden Fyffes find something
wrong with dealing with Meridian. They've been dealing with them for over 3 years and all of a sudden something is wrong. Could they possibly believe that the Americans don't know that they've been buying those bananas? Why all of a sudden this type of action? And besides, it's not about me. I may find a way to move on along and my family, but what about these people? - From hand to mouth. The day that they are out of a job, their kids here in uniform, they cannot sent them to school hungry?"
Daniel Ortiz
"Have you considered selling?"
John Zabaneh - Spokesperson, Mayan King Banana Farm
"Let me just say that there are a number of farms for over 15 years that are on sale. The banks will not finance banana farms. And it may be that they want us to sell and we would bend over. My brother is right over there and I have another one around. This is family and they are also involved in this. But it is a no option, because simply where will that customer comes from? There are a number of farms, probably 6, 7 or 8 that's been on sale for the past 15 years and still cannot be sold."
Fyffes issued a statement quoted in the The Irish Times Newspaper which says, quote, "Fyffes confirmed yesterday that it ceased buying bananas from Maya King in Dangriga, Belize, because Mr Zabaneh has been acting as a spokesman for its owner, Meridian Farms, which is in crisis following a drought.
Given recent developments where John Zabaneh appeared to speak on behalf of Meridian Farms, Fyffes immediately ceased purchase of bananas from the farms in question," end quote.
