The United Fruit Company was an American multinational corporation founded in 1899. It primarily focused on the production and export of bananas from Central America to the United States and Europe. The company played a significant role in the agricultural and economic development of countries like Guatemala, Honduras, and Costa Rica, often influencing local politics and economies. The company's operations led to the term "banana republic," describing countries heavily dependent on a single export and vulnerable to foreign influence. In the mid-20th century, the United Fruit Company faced criticism for its involvement in political interventions, particularly in Guatemala during the 1950s, which contributed to regional instability.