Banana Republic

Not referencing the trendy American clothing line, banana republics were significant in Latin American nations.  Banana republics held strong representation in Central and South American countries.  The phrase was coined as dictatorships exploited home country's natural resources and agricultural crops.  The United State's involvement was strong in the 1870's where banana importing became a booming business.  The United Fruit Company controlled banana markets in all dimensions - commanding agricultural centers in Cuba, Jamaica, Columbia, Santa Domingo, Guatemala, Panama, and Nicaragua.  Banana republics evolved political and economic divisions.  The United Fruit Company thrived and controlled foreign territory and transportation networks in Central America.  Creating banana republics with its economic monopoly, the United Fruit Company controlled their banana plantations and dominated many countries in Latin America.

   

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/02/books/review/Kurtz-Phelan-t.html?_r=0