Oh wow: And in 1954, the CIA protected United Fruit’s interests by overthrowing the Guatemalan government, which had threatened to take some of the company’s l

Oh wow: And in 1954, the CIA protected United Fruit’s interests by overthrowing the Guatemalan government, which had threatened to take some of the company’s land — much of which was being held in reserve, not even cultivated — and redistribute it. The American ambassador to the country used the Cold War to justify the ousting of President Jacobo Arbenz even though Arbenz was not quite a communist. The ambassador, John Peurifoy, famously said that "if Arbenz is not a communist, he will certainly do until one comes along." Dwight Eisenhower tried to put a good face on things by explaining that The people of Guatemala, in a magnificent effort, have liberated themselves from the shackles of international Communist direction and reclaimed their right for self-determination . . . I pay tribute to the historic demonstration of devotion to the cause of freedom given by the people of Guatemala and their leaders. But it was clear what had really happened. The American-led coup installed a dictator, Carlos Castillo Armas, who repealed the constitution, established concentration camps for his enemies, and arrested thousands of dissidents. After his assassination in 1957, the country was plunged into a terrible civil war.