Guatemala- Jacobo Arbenz

The Banana Republics

Guatemala, along with Costa Rica and Honduras, suffered under a "banana republic" system, in which their entire economy relied on the production of one produce (Of course, bananas). This meant almost half the land in the country was owned by one company, United Fruit, and workers could be payed incredibly poorly.

Arbenz Resists United

President Jacobo Arbenz stepped up for the workers in Guatemala. His main focus was on reclaiming land from the foreign company of United, and bringing it back to the people.

Ousted From Power

US President Eisenhower, mid Cold War, signed off on the CIA inciting a coup, which placed Carlos Castillo Armas in power. Armas was a brutal dictator for years after.