The Associated Press reports that the National Federation of Coffee Growers of Colombia is planning to sue the publishers of a comic strip for $20 million, asserting that the strip damaged the Colombian coffee producers' image.

A recent strip by Mike Peters of Mother Goose and Grimm suggested the link between Colombian Coffee producers and organized crime. 

In the strip two characters are preparing their morning brew, which happens to be of Colombian origin.  One says to the other, "Y'know, there's a big crime syndicate in Colombia. So when they say there's a little bit of Juan Valdez in every can, maybe they're not kidding."

Mike is quoted by the AP as responding to the lawsuit with the following statement:

"I had no more thought to insult Colombia and Juan Valdez than I did Pringles, Betty Crocker, Col. Sanders, Dr. Pepper and Bartles & Jaymes. The cartoon is meant to be read along with the rest of the week as a series of which the theme is based on the fact that the inventor of the Pringles can had his ashes buried in one.

It makes me wonder...I have no idea what the connection between Colombian coffee producers and organized crime is.  But I have to believe that by dealing directly with coops and farmers, as opposed to large syndicates the opportunities for middle men to get involved and divert profits elsewhere (criminal activities or otherwise) has to be lessened. 

Can anyone enlighten me on the situation down there?