The "Banana Wars" refers to a series of conflicts and political interventions by the United States in Central America and the Caribbean during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. These interventions were primarily aimed at protecting American business interests, particularly those of the United Fruit Company, which was heavily involved in banana production and exportation in countries like Honduras and Guatemala. The term also highlights the economic and political influence that American companies exerted over these nations, often leading to the establishment of military regimes. The consequences included social unrest and long-lasting impacts on the political landscape of the region, as local governments struggled to assert their sovereignty against foreign interests.