The banana company Chiquita admitted in federal court on Monday that for years it paid right-wing paramilitaries in Colombia to protect its banana-growing operation. As part of a deal, Chiquita agreed to pay a $25 million fine under the condition that it does not have to identify several senior executives who approved the illegal protection payments. Prosecutors said the Cincinnati-based company paid about $1.7 million to the United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia, which is considered a terrorist organization by the U.S. government. Chiquita also made payments to the right-wing National Liberation Army and the left-wing group FARC. Colombian President Alvaro Uribe has said he supports requesting the extradition of Chiquita executives involved in the payoffs. Colombia officials are also investigating reports that Chiquita directly helped arm paramilitary groups. In 2001, a Chiquita-owned ship was reportedly used in Colombia to unload 3,000 Kalashnikov rifles and more than 2.5 million bullets.