Marbella Martinez

Professor Bravo
SPC1017
November 2022
Banana Republic: The Impact of North Americans’ Interference in Honduras.
There’s an extremely gracious country in the very heart of central America that is fenced by
millions of trees and animals, bathed by both the Atlantic and the Pacific Ocean, and with open
gates to foreigners, this country is Honduras. Despite usually being known for extremely high-
rate crimes and immigration topics, or not known at all, it has many hidden gems to enchant your
eyes and mind.
Honduras’ geographic location, vast terrains fit for cultivating, direct contact with the sea, and
unexploited business markets led Americans to thrive off it as a Banana Republic. Many
American companies conducted long-term investments in Honduras soil during the banana
enclave, leaving an influence on the country’s agriculture, society, and a boost for the Honduran
economy, but not for the commonwealth of the people.
What was the banana enclave?
The banana enclave was a time during the late 1800 and early 1900 when American companies
thrived off banana exploitation in Latin American countries. Banana exploitation became a key
part of the country’s economy. There is a story as to why American Imperialism worked so well
in Honduras even as an independent country, I will continue to go over key points of Honduras’s
Agriculture, Economic, and societal changes.
Providing background knowledge is important to understanding this phenomenon. The republic
of Honduras was discovered and colonized by the Spaniards in 1500s, this was known as the
colonial period. Honduras gained its independence in 1821 and so began the independent period,
where principles of trade and work rights were defended and promoted. Despite being rich in
natural resources and people, the country wasn’t left to thrive, as in the colonial period much
precious minerals were extracted for export to Spain and many natives died. Honduras has also
been characterized by poor and unstable governments.
In 1899 President Gen. Terrencio Sierra, provided free land to the Vaccaro brothers from New
Orleans, fruit company to grow their plantations in Honduras, this was in efforts to boost the
country’s economy. Most elites in the country were agents for foreign capital, so they supported
these decisions. Cuyamel fruit company was quick to follow this example. From here begun 50+
years of unfair labor, social uprising, and major changes to the country.
I will start by talking about the agricultural changes the country experienced.
The Banana market before the American imperialism’s influence was not big or coveted.
Bananas first arrived with the Spaniards back in the 1500s. Banana cultivations were mostly in
the backyards of houses for own use or small sales. There were no huge, company-owned,
banana plantations. Because the commercialization of bananas back then was internalized,
transportation was mostly through mule or rivers. This were mostly grown in the coasts of the
country, were most garifunas live.
When major companies were introduced, for faster more effective transportation, the government
began to designate special terrains for the construction of the national railroad. Implementation
of pavemented roads was planned and put to work. The interest for buying terrains lit up in the
elite of the country, and with no valid reason, they chased out to buy these lands. Leaving less
space for the countryman who inspired to make their own plantations or have their own land. All
these new companies were in the north of the country, however they had very few workers.
When farmers from the countryside of Honduras heard about the many job opportunities in this
fields, they rushed to take the positions, and so, many Hondurans immigrated from their home
towns to the coasts.
Environmental change. According to studies brought to light by John Soluri in the book banana
cultures, The soil where banana plantation were located was depleted of nutrients because of the
dedication of cultivating the same crop. Today this has had a drastic effect as the fruit quality
keeps decaying.

How did it affect the economy?

I would say the economic factor was the one that was seen the most affected, after all the reason
our lands and people were exploited was for a better economic tomorrow.We can begin by
addressing how new towns were made around those plantations, towns that still up to this day
stand strong and have great significance for the country (La ceiba, La lima, Tela). Without the
factories establishing there and the banana being naturally prosperous in that soil, countryman
wouldn’t have moved to those sectors to start a new life there. Today these cities attract
thousands of tourists and are still economic engines of the country.
The Officialization of the Honduran coin (Lempira)
In 1930 the Honduran Lempira became the official coin of the country. The banana enclave
played a big role in this as it was the biggest economic axis of the country, this was the first time
there was such an uprising in capital. The triumph of these companies would have never been
possible without the contribution of Garifuna’s (African Honduran Ethnic group). However, the
nationalist government used the efforts of keeping an European man’s name out of the national
coin, to cover their racism. There is documented proof of how the government would motivate
indigenous labor groups to uprise against “black spread”. Ignorantly they would spread these
ideas to form a group that “embraced” indigenous people, but it was all tactics from the elite.
However, because the government was pushed to give a face and name to the coin, now we are
able to celebrate one of our national heroes and claim our coins name proudly.

National Railroad of Honduras.

As previously mentioned, the implementation of railway tracks was necessary for banana
commerce. The Vacarro Brother’s Standard Fruit Company already extended for 8 miles. As
their company grew larger they were able to obtain a new concession by the Honduran
government for 10 years to construct and exploit railway tracks. Streich From the Cuyamel fruit
company gained another concession for 25 years, not long after Samuel Zemurray bought the
company and rights. In 1912 the Honduran Government granted Zemurray a concession to build
railways in the outskirts of the Tela port.

Societal changes:
The black population of Honduras located near the Caribbean coast, Garifuna, played a huge role
in the development of banana plantations as well as the decisions made on the national currency.
These labor struggles in the banana plantations had racial and ethnic resonance in the country’s
capital.Most people who live on the coast side of the country, the Caribbean, and islands are of
African descent, they were the ones present in the cultivation of Honduran Bananas.
This benefited Garifuna’s in the protection of their rights and significance of their culture to our
society.
The 1954 Banana strike, is one of the most important movements in today’s Honduran society.
This strike that begun on April 1954 allowed the laborers to have access to rights, a better quality
of life, and also legal recognition of Laboral syndicates.
By May thousands of other motivated laborers from different production sections had joined in
protesting for better working rights and conditions, justified Salary raises, pay of extra hours, and
that syndicates were recognized and could negotiate with the companies and the government. By
may 21 the protesters surpassed 30,000 people. Congress kept putting out new decreets, but they
all favored the fruit companies more than the laborers.
“Prison Verde”
To see a clear example of this and the social impact we have the book written by Honduran
politician and writer Ramon A. Amador, a book that describes in detail what it was like to be
born, raised, work at, and die in the plantations. The book depicts how the American companies
would make employees work without pay, even during special holidays, how many of the
families starved because the pay was unfair, how the workers were sprayed with dangerous
pesticides, how the American companies were able to take out and choose new presidents in
foreign countries, and even the efforts of these companies to dismantle the social movements.
The strike was resolved 69 days later with an insignificant agreement. Through this strike the
Tela workers were able to be recognized as an organized labor syndicate. The following
achievements were made:
- 8 hour shift
- Recognition of extra hours
- Accident compensation
 - Maternity rights
- Holidays off
- Night Shifts are recognized
- The right to syndicate

60 years after being known as a banana republic, Honduras continues to have repercussions from
the time period. The achievements gained by the 1954 social movements still protect the rights of
many laborers. The old rails for the National Railroad are still in place, rusting, to remind us of
how the country has tried so many times to move forward. After said companies left the country,
many Hondurans were found jobless, with few money, and no guarantee for land or houses. If
you visit Honduras you will sure be shielded by the peoples warm hearts and hospitality, but you
will not be able to ignore the dire conditions many of this hard-working people live in.
What became of the Vacarro brothers Standard Fruit company, is now Dole, the largest fruit
selling company in the world with an estimated annual revenue of 6.5 billion.
United Fruit company, last owned by Zemurray is now Chiquita company. Zemurray’s
contribution to Honduras can still be traced by looking at Lancetilla Environmental Reserve and
also at El Zamorano Pan-American University, both a great Honor to the country.