1. U.S. involvement in Central America
From these cartoons – What is the Monroe Doctrine?

2. CIA overthrows Guatemalan elected socialist president
In 1951 the Guatemalan people elected Col. Jacobo Arbenz, a socialist, to the presidency. His goal was to take supposedly "unused" land from large landowners from the United States United Fruit Company - UFCO - a major economic asset and banana trading company) and distribute it to peasants. This enabled him to gain popularity among the lower class of Guatemala.
Obviously, United Fruit Company was angered by this. In 1954, the U.S. authorized the CIA to overthrew Arbenz, placing a conservative official into power. This greatly benefited UFCO because the new ruler would bend to its every desire, and at the same time prevented a communistic or socialistic takeover.
Why did the United States get involved in Guatemala?

3. U.S. CIA in Guatemala

4. “Banana Republic”

5. President Reagan takes stand in Nicaragua
President Reagan was instrumental in assisting a group of counter-revolutionaries called "contras". These contras fought against the power of Sandanistas who were bringing communism into Nicaragua. In 1981, President Reagan allowed the CIA to help the Contras in destabilizing and overthrowing the Sandinista regime by aiding them with $19 million of military assistance. These words from one of Reagan's speeches in May of 1984 say it best, as he stated:
"Central America is a region of great importance to the United States It's at our doorstep, and it's become the stage for a bold attempt by the Soviet Union, Cuba, and Nicaragua to install communism by force throughout the hemisphere I want to tell you. . . about the real nature of the Sandinista regime in Nicaragua. The Sandinistas, who rule Nicaragua, are Communists whose relationship and ties to Fidel Castro of Cuba go back a quarter of a century. . . we Americans should be proud of what we're trying to do in Central America, and proud of what. . . we can do in Central America to support democracy, human rights, and economic growth while preserving peace so close to home. “
Why did the U.S. get involved in Guatemala?
Is it our right or duty to influence/control Central America?

6. U.S. influence on Latin America